The Newcastle player Liverpool need is NOT Anthony Gordon | OneFootball

Tonali to Liverpool makes sense

Not only is Sandro Tonali a more defensive player than Liverpool currently have in their ranks, but he's flexible in his midfield role, capable of also playing as a No. 8, floating up and down the pitch.

He more than puts in the hard yards, winning all his duels and putting in crunching tackles when required. Back in 2023, he revealed to reporters that his game is inspired by ex-Red Thiago Alcantara.

Stylistically, you'll struggle to find a potential transfer target that is more suited to Arne Slot's squad.

And he's available, if the project and contract offer is right. It was reported earlier this week that he is viewing his future on a 'year-by-year' basis, which means that his deal until 2029 may well be futile.

Looking over at Liverpool, it's clear that something's missing. Having a player like Tonali in the double-pivot next to Ryan Gravenberch would make a huge difference - solidifying the midfield.

He's only 25 years old, so he fits the age profile that FSG are trying to build towards in their transfer strategy, and it looks as though Alexis Mac Alister and Curtis Jones could be on the way out soon, as Dominik Szoboszlai and Gravenberch are being approached for new contracts, while the Englishman's deal runs out before theirs, and the Argentine is yet to be approached for talks.

We could see the engine room get a bit of a freshen-up, and Tonali would directly address our needs.

Of course, there's no guarantee that he leaves, and Liverpool would need to work really hard to convince him, but if Newcastle miss out on Champions League football, then Richard Hughes' pitch could well be written for him. The Reds haven't been linked with him by any news outlets, so this is merely a stab-in-the-dark recommendation, but he's the type of signing the club desparately needs.