Liverpool eye midfield reinforcements Kees Smit and Neil El Aynaoui

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola is assessing midfield upgrades after the under‑performance of current options. The club has been linked with 20‑year‑old Dutch midfielder Kees Smit of AZ Alkmaar, a defensive‑midfield player who helped his team register 15 goals last season. AZ is said to price the move at around £52 million.

Liverpool is also among several European clubs monitoring Morocco international Neil El Aynaoui. The 25‑year‑old, who shone at the recent World Cup, currently plays for Roma after a transfer from Lens. Reports indicate Liverpool have made an enquiry as they consider adding his box‑to‑box energy to their midfield.