Liverpool's midfield shortlist is INCREDIBLE as Richard Hughes eyes mega double deal

The dust has settled on Liverpool's January transfer window but work has already begun for next season.

Richard Hughes will not be resting and taking time off from now on until the summer. His job to rebuild Liverpool has only just begun.

Last summer saw a lot of investment and this summer will be the same. Liverpool are going to be strengthening in a number of positions as they look to create the perfect squad to challenge on all fronts.

The defence is going to be of focus if Joe Gomez or Ibrahima Konate leave. Liverpool will likely need to replace Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas as well.

In attack, Mo Salah could be on his way out of Anfield. And Liverpool still need to replace Luis Diaz as well.

But there will also be focus on the midfield.

Anfield Watch understands Liverpool will be looking to sign at least two midfielders with Richard Hughes eyeing what could end-up being a mega double deal.

It's understood the club is open to selling Curtis Jones or Alexis Mac Allister should the right offer arrive for either of the duo.

Hughes has already drawn up a shortlist of exciting targets with his recruitment team and it is as follows:

• Adam Wharton

• Warren Zaire-Emery

• Kees Smit

• Ayyoubb Bouaddi

• Elliot Anderson

• Eduardo Camavinga

Liverpool will be looking to sign two of the aforementioned six names, if all goes well. Much will depend on how the rest of the season goes for the club and where the Reds end up finishing in the Premier League table and the Champions League knock-out rounds.

It's clear that there are 'premium' targets and others who are more budget friendly. The likes of Zaire-Emery and Camavinga will likely only be able to be lured to Anfield is there is Champions League football next season.

Right now, that doesn't look as likely as it should.

It may be the case that Liverpool will have to go for alternatives like Wharton, Bouaddi or Smit instead.

There's no denying though that this is an exciting list. Bouaddi and Smit may be less proven at the highest levels but they are extremely exciting young players with very high potential.

In terms of playing style Smit is a really tenacious midfielder who thrives in the opposition's final third and loves to make line-breaking passes through the last line of defence.

Bouaddi is a ball carrier, who covers a lot of ground and presses really well. His energy off the ball and his ability to win possession makes him an ideal profile for Liverpool's midfield.

Obviously, there's a long way to go from now on until the summer so this shortlist can change. But right now Anfield Watch understands it is these names who sit at the top of the pile for Liverpool ahead of the next transfer window and there's a good chance two of them could end-up at the club in an exciting mega double deal.

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