Report: Liverpool set to battle Newcastle United in the race for midfielder | OneFootball

Liverpool Midfield Moves Shape Up as Kees Smit Battle Looms

Liverpool’s late capture of Alexander Isak felt like a transfer window finale pulled straight from a classic title race script, full of tension, late twists and a player willing to force the issue. His decision to push for the move, described in the original report by Anfield Watch as “essentially going on strike, missing training”, has left Arne Slot managing the diplomatic aftershocks. Yet Liverpool’s sporting director Richard Hughes has emerged from the episode with real authority, and that influence could soon be tested again.

Rising Interest in Kees Smit

Newcastle’s plan to reshape their midfield has drawn attention across Europe. As reported in the Telegraph, Luke Edwards detailed a strategy involving Joe Willock’s potential switch to Crystal Palace to pave the way for AZ Alkmaar’s highly rated Kees Smit. The teenage midfielder is said to be “keen on the move” to Tyneside, although “regular first-team minutes” would have to be part of the package.

Smit’s profile makes him one of the most sought-after young midfielders in Europe, capable of operating in all three central roles with the composure of a seasoned pro. With competition fierce, Liverpool’s previous interest naturally resurfaces. Other outlets have already linked the Reds with the Dutchman and the lack of progress on new deals for Curtis Jones or Alexis Mac Allister offers plenty of fuel to the speculation.

January Decisions for Liverpool

Smit is contracted until 2029, although the report states that a compelling bid could shift AZ’s stance. Liverpool sanctioned several departures earlier this year which means, unlike Newcastle’s situation with Willock, the Reds would not be forced into a sale to create space.

One Anfield source quoted in the original piece suggested that “a move for Smit is plausible” and, crucially, that the youngster fits both the tactical demands and broader ambition within Hughes’s recruitment blueprint. However, centre back reinforcements are still the club’s priority and the timeline for midfield additions may extend beyond January.

Newcastle’s Alternatives and Transfer Market Friction

Should Newcastle fail to create room for Smit yet still wish to strengthen, the suggestion of Sandro Tonali resurfacing as an option has raised eyebrows. His contract runs until 2028 and his pedigree remains undoubted. Yet Liverpool’s own defensive shortcomings mean Hughes may choose to monitor other areas first, even with the club keen to continue evolving their midfield.

One senior figure within the recruitment department, adding to the general tone of the report, could easily summarise the current climate: “Everything’s up in the air and both clubs are circling similar positions, so this one could go long into the year.”

What is clear is that Liverpool and Newcastle remain locked in a tactical and strategic battle that extends far beyond the pitch. After the Isak saga, neither side will want to hand the other any advantage.

Our View, Anfield Index Analysis

Liverpool supporters will meet this latest link with Kees Smit with a mix of excitement and expectation. The thought of another energetic and technically gifted midfielder entering the fold is bound to spark interest, especially after the emotional turbulence of recent months and the understandable desire to see the team refreshed under Arne Slot. Fans are intrigued but sceptical about the timing. January deals are notoriously unpredictable and Smit is attracting enough interest to trigger a full scale scramble across Europe.

Some supporters will be concerned that the club might hesitate while rivals move more aggressively. Others will simply feel encouraged that Hughes is targeting players with real upside and Premier League suitability. The idea of Smit playing alongside Ryan Gravenberch feels appealing for those imagining a fluid, modern midfield structure.

Newcastle’s involvement adds a competitive edge. Fans will remember the noise around the Isak saga and the sense that Liverpool had to work harder than expected to secure him. That memory fuels the excitement and the underlying worry that this could be another prolonged tussle.

Ultimately the mood is one of cautious optimism. Supporters want Liverpool to push forward decisively, particularly with a title challenge in sight. If Smit truly is on the radar, fans will hope the recruitment team act before the window becomes a battlefield again.