Move over Adam Wharton: Richard Hughes wants deal for ANOTHER England star

Liverpool completed £450m worth of spending last summer.

Among the new faces to arrive were Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak - who arrived on British record deals. But sporting director Richard Hughes didn’t stop there in his pursuit for other attackers.

Jeremie Frimpong came in to reinforce the right flank and Hugo Ekitike was added on a £69m deal from Eintracht Frankfurt. Despite those additions however Liverpool’s attacking department still isn’t the finished article.

The club have been linked with wingers in the shape of Yan Diomande and Antoine Semenyo - although the latter ended up moving to Manchester City.

The Premier League champions have got a pressing need to recruit more forward players - given the uncertainty over Mohamed Salah’s future and Cody Gakpo’s patchy form.

Beyond those two Arne Slot’s options in the wide areas are limited and that’s why a new link with Morgan Rogers makes sense.

Liverpool want Rogers - not Wharton

The Aston Villa playmaker, 23, is an outrageous talent - scoring seven goals and adding five assists in the Premier League this season.

Capable of playing on the left wing, at attacking midfield, false nine and even on the right, the England international can do it all. He recently signed a new contract at Villa Park until 2031 - but there are suggestions that a Liverpool bid could be forthcoming.

Writing in his GiveMeSport newsletter renowned transfer journalist Ben Jacobs claims that Richard Hughes is far more likely to bid for a Rogers-type figure over a solid midfielder like Adam Wharton this year.

Morgan Rogers is well-liked at Liverpool

“I sense if a midfielder is to arrive at Anfield this year, it will more likely be one with goals output who can also play in wide areas,” he writes.

“Morgan Rogers is the type of profile some within Liverpool appreciate.”

Rogers fits the profile for Liverpool recruiters as a multi-faceted attacker who can feature in an array of positions.

The Merseysiders were tentatively linked with a bid last summer when Villa were in the midst of a PSR meltdown.

It still looks like Unai Emery’s side may have to offload one big name in the next couple of transfer windows - especially if they miss out on Champions League football - and Liverpool will be hoping it’s Rogers.

The ex-Manchester City youth joined Villa from Middlesbrough in 2024 - going on to establish himself as a consistent Premier League performer.

He will be in the shakeup for Thomas Tuchel’s starting XI when England go to the FIFA World Cup and he may well be returning from that tournament as a Liverpool player.

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