Liverpool are reportedly monitoring the situation of Southampton midfielder Romeo Lavia, with Jurgen Klopp praising the Saints’ “proper football.” The Reds are expected to sign three midfielders in the upcoming transfer window, and Lavia has emerged as a potential signing. The 19-year-old joined Southampton from Man City last summer, and is likely to depart St Mary’s following their relegation to the Championship. Reports have suggested Liverpool, Chelsea, and Man City are interested in Lavia, and Klopp’s side will face Southampton in their Premier League closer this Sunday. Ahead of the final game of the season, Klopp described the Saints as a “strange one,” acknowledging their issues and praising their “proper football” in midfield.
Lavia has been a first-choice starter in his first season at Southampton, aside from a hamstring injury which kept him out for two months early in the season. Under Ralph Hasenhuttl, Nathan Jones and now Ruben Selles, he has been relied upon in a key role as the deep-lying midfielder, and it is no surprise he is attracting interest. Whether he would be considered a primary target for Liverpool at this stage remains to be seen, with Klopp likely to target more experience in the market. If he were signed, Lavia would join a youthful group alongside Curtis Jones, 22, Harvey Elliott, 20, Stefan Bajcetic, 18, and possibly Tyler Morton, 20. However, his first season in senior football has showed he has the ability to thrive in a “proper football” setup.