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Liverpool to move for Spanish midfielder after missing out on Isco

By Prathamesh Murugesan

Fabian Ruiz of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League match between SSC Napoli and Liverpool at Stadio San Paolo Naples Italy on 3 October 2018. (Photo Franco Romano
Fabian Ruiz of SSC Napoli during the UEFA Champions League match between SSC Napoli and Liverpool at Stadio San Paolo Naples Italy on 3 October 2018. (Photo Franco Romano /
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According to El Desmarque, Liverpool will consider a move for Napoli’s Fabian Ruiz after failing in their attempt to sign Isco.

The Real Madrid star still remains Jurgen Klopp’s first choice, as the Reds look to add more creativity to their midfield.

While the Premier League leaders have looked near-invincible over the last couple of years, they haven’t really replaced Philippe Coutinho following the Brazilian’s record-breaking move to Barcelona.

RB Salzburg midfielder Takumi Minamino arrived for a bargain £7.25 million, but Klopp still wants more reinforcements.

Isco has struggled for game time at the Santiago Bernabeu this season, thanks to the emergence of breakthrough star Federico Valverde. The 27-year-old has made only 6 starts in LaLiga this season.

In spite of this, Zinedine Zidane does not want the former Malaga star to leave Real Madrid in the winter transfer window.

As a result, Fabian Ruiz is now being mentioned as an alternative option for Liverpool. The Spaniard has impressed at Napoli since joining them from Real Betis in 2018, even managing to break into the Spanish national team.

The crisis in Naples means that Ruiz is a much more reasonable target for Klopp to chase than Isco. Unrest between Napoli players and club president Aurelio de Laurentiis has seen performances dip this season, with the club currently 11th in Serie A.

Carlo Ancelotti was sacked earlier this season, but new coach Gennaro Gattuso hasn’t been able to improve results either.

Even so, Ruiz will not come cheap. He is set to cost at least £50 million, but he would be worth that fee considering he’s still only 23.

Liverpool have easily been the best team in Europe this season, and are still involved in 3 competitions after winning the Club World Cup last month. Only Manchester United have stopped them from winning in the Premier League so far, and they already have a 16 point lead over champions Manchester City.

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Up next for Klopp’s men is an FA Cup fixture at Shrewsbury on Sunday.

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