Liverpool's Midfield Search: Orozco Ruled Out for Anfield Move
Liverpool’s search for midfield steel will not lead them to Colombia’s latest prodigy, with Matias Orozco effectively ruled out of an Anfield move and handed what’s been described as a “zero per cent chance” of joining the Reds.
Midfield questions grow after stuttering start
Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool have stumbled out of the blocks. A late rescue job at St James’ Park brought a point against Newcastle United, but it didn’t quieten the noise around a midfield that still looks badly balanced.
The scrutiny has been sharp. Big-money arrival Florian Wirtz is under the microscope, both full-backs have been questioned, and the defensive shield in front of the back line remains a glaring issue. Instead of locking down a holding midfielder, Liverpool are closing in on another winger, with Yankuba Minteh understood to be close to a move and Bradley Barcola linked throughout the window.
The search for a deeper presence, though, will not include Orozco.
Carragher tears into Liverpool’s midfield mix
Jamie Carragher didn’t bother softening his verdict on Liverpool’s opening-weekend draw. The former defender ripped into the structure of the midfield, picking out Ryan Gravenberch’s positioning and insisting Dominik Szoboszlai is ill-suited to a double pivot.
“I think Liverpool do need someone alongside Gravenberch,” Carragher said, before making clear this isn’t about signing a destroyer who can’t play. “If you play for one of the top teams in the world, like Liverpool are, you need to be able to get hold of the ball: but I want someone in [the midfield] who can run, and I just think Szoboszlai has to go to the no.10.”
It sounded like the perfect audition brief for a young, mobile holding midfielder. Orozco’s name had already started to circulate. Not anymore.
Orozco off the table for Anfield
Colombian journalist Pipe Sierra has poured cold water on talk of the 18-year-old heading to Merseyside, stating that a move to Liverpool is not on the cards.
The Barranquilla-born deep-lying playmaker broke through at Deportivo Cali last season, catching the eye quickly enough for Colombian outlet VBar Caracol to claim he was close to a switch to Liverpool. That now looks premature. At least where Anfield is concerned.
The teenager is still attracting serious Premier League interest. Bournemouth, Crystal Palace, Newcastle United, Everton, Aston Villa, Fulham and Manchester City have all been mentioned as potential suitors for the midfielder.
City, for their part, have just wrapped up another South American coup, signing Palmeiras winger Allen, underlining how aggressively they are working that market. Leeds United and Brentford have also been floated as possible destinations for Orozco.
Liverpool, though, are out of this race. With the midfield debate raging and the window ticking down, the question is blunt: where do they turn next for the runner, organiser and ball-winner Carragher insists they cannot do without?
