Conclusion
Liverpool are in a tricky situation this summer as they look to meet Premier League requirements within their playing squad. The Reds are close to their non-homegrown player limit, meaning they may need to dip into the homegrown market in order to meet requirements for 2023/24 and ease the burden for future years.
There are a number of players who meet the homegrown criteria that Liverpool could target in the transfer window, such as Marc Guehi, Eberechi Eze, Harvey Barnes, Jacob Ramsey, Moussa Dembele, Conor Gallagher, Levi Colwill and Ron-Robert Zieler.
The Reds will need to tread carefully when it comes to summer recruitment, but with the right moves they could have a squad that meets all the necessary requirements.
Homegrown Players Liverpool Could Target This Summer
Introduction
Liverpool may need to dip into the homegrown market this summer if they are to meet Premier League requirements within their playing squad. The departures of James Milner and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain have left the Reds needing to tread somewhat carefully when it comes to summer recruitment, with the Reds close to their non-homegrown player limit. Here, we take a look at some of the players Liverpool could target in the transfer window.
Premier League Rules
Premier League rules state that clubs must have no more than 17 non-homegrown players in their 25-man squad, with players under the age of 21 not counting towards those figures for that season regardless of their origin. A homegrown player does not necessarily have to have been born or raised on British shores, for instance, any individual who has played for an FA-affiliated club for three or more years before turning 21 can count towards a homegrown tally. It means Jurgen Klopp may have his eye on a number of options who meet the homegrown criteria this summer, in order to meet requirements for 2023/24 and ease the burden for future years.
Potential Targets
Marc Guehi – Crystal Palace
The midfield is the topic on everyone’s lips when it comes to summer reinforcements, but Liverpool also look increasingly likely to add a new defensive option for next season. Marc Guehi appeared in all but one of Crystal Palace‘s Premier League fixtures in 2022/23 and was said last month to be wanted by a number of top clubs including Arsenal, Tottenham and Man United. A reported £50 million price tag could deter Liverpool from making a concrete approach, but the premium placed on homegrown players will mean that the Reds may have to pull the trigger on a fee over the odds at some stage.
Eberechi Eze – Crystal Palace
Staying at Selhurst Park for the time being, Eberechi Eze is a talented forward who has also caught the eye of some of the league’s best sides. The 24-year-old attacking midfielder was Palace’s top scorer last season with 10 goals and can present a real handful for defenders when on top form. Liverpool have been linked with Eze on a number of occasions in the past, but the club’s need to bring in homegrown talent could place an emphasis on players with his profile.
Harvey Barnes – Leicester
Having tasted relegation with Leicester last season, Harvey Barnes could be keen to make a swift return to the top flight this summer. The 25-year-old plays predominantly on the left wing, a position in which Liverpool are currently well-stocked, but can also operate in the attacking midfield areas. Barnes has been linked with a move to the Reds in the past and could be available for a cut-price deal given the Foxes’ current predicament.
Jacob Ramsey – Aston Villa
Liverpool could do a lot worse than pursuing Jacob Ramsey to remedy some of the squad’s current midfield deficiencies. A mainstay in a resurgent Aston Villa side last season, Ramsey has goals in his game which have been hard to come by from the Reds’ midfield in recent years. At 22, he is at a very similar age to Liverpool’s other midfield targets like Khephren Thuram, Manu Kone and Ryan Gravenberch, but would crucially count towards the homegrown quota for next season. It is not a name that has been linked with Anfield too often, but he is certainly not a player who it would be difficult to make a case for.
Moussa Dembele – Lyon
A player some may not