Liverpool transfers: ‘Reds need midfielder ahead of Mohamed Salah’

Liverpool should sign a defensive midfielder before landing Basel star Mohamed Salah, according to John Aldridge.

The Reds have been heavily linked with an £8m move for the Egyptian winger, who scored home and away against Chelsea in the Champions League this season.

We need a physical presence in the middle of the park – someone strong, quick and dynamic

John Aldridge

However, Aldridge feels Liverpool must strengthen their midfield options after Lucas Leiva was ruled out for two months due to medial ligament damage in his right knee.

“It’s positive to see Liverpool trying to add to their squad as they look to agree a deal for Mohamed Salah,” Aldridge wrote in his Liverpool Echo column.

“However, questions will be asked about whether a winger is the priority considering how we are leaking goals.

“I’ve been saying for some time that we need another defensive midfielder and Lucas Leiva’s injury increases the need to sign that type of player.

“We need a physical presence in the middle of the park – someone strong, quick and dynamic.”

Aldridge attempted to dissuade the Reds from securing any more loan deals after Chelsea midfielder Victor Moses’ struggles at Anfield this season.

“What we don’t need is any more loan deals,” Aldridge added.

“I’m not a fan of them. Premier League clubs shouldn’t be able to loan players to each other and the system needs sorting out.”