Joelinton has been in good form for Newcastle this season (Picture: Getty Images)
Former Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann has suggested Newcastle’s Joelinton as an ideal signing for Jurgen Klopp, saying the Brazilian would be higher up his wish-list than West Ham’s Declan Rice.
Liverpool have had a number of disappointing results already this season, most recently a defeat to Leeds in the Premier League at the weekend which has left them 15 points behind league leaders Arsenal after just 12 games.
With the significant drop off in form from last season there has been much speculation over whether the team needs a refresh, particularly in the middle of midfield, where Jordan Henderson is closer to the end than the start of his career, and Fabinho has been a long way from his best this campaign.
Rice has been linked with all the top clubs in the country, with Liverpool included, and another former Reds star, Danny Murphy, believes he would be the ideal signature for the Anfield club.
While Hamann agrees that the England international would be a good signing, he reckons Joelinton would be even better, impressed by the Newcastle man’s physicality and goal threat.
‘Liverpool 15 points behind the top of the table now and I don’t think that one player makes up that many points,’ the German told Boyle Sports. ‘Danny Murphy is right to suggest Declan Rice is a very capable player but I think it depends on how Fabinho comes back into the season because he’s been really disappointing but he’s a really brilliant player.
‘I would like Liverpool to sign someone a bit more adventurous, someone like Joelinton from Newcastle who has a physical presence, can get you a goal and he has the full package. A player like him would suit Liverpool down to the ground.
‘I think getting a player of his quality in January is near enough impossible and that should’ve been done in the summer.’
Joelinton, originally signed as a striker at St James’ Park, has been converted into a midfielder and has gradually become an impressive player in the Premier League, winning the club’s player of the year award last season.
However, his goal threat is not potent, scoring just once so far this campaign to take his Premier League tally to 11 in 116 appearances.
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‘A player like him would suit Liverpool down to the ground.’