Liverpool scouting Mainz midfielder Anton Stach

Liverpool are among a number of Premier League clubs keeping tabs on Mainz midfielder Anton Stach ahead of the summer transfer window.

Anton Stach, 24, has been a key player for Mainz this season, registering a goal and three assists in 19 Bundesliga appearances so far. He has been capped twice by Germany but was not part of Hansi Flick’s 2022 World Cup squad in Qatar.

The versatile midfielder’s performances in the Bundesliga have not gone unnoticed, with English top-flight clubs such as Newcastle United, Tottenham and West Ham having all reportedly scouted him this year.

Liverpool need a midfield overhaul

Liverpool will be in the summer transfer market for midfield reinforcements, with three of their current players out of contract at the end of the season. James Milner, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all look set to leave Anfield on free transfers in June, while Fabinho and Jordan Henderson have suffered a huge dip in form this season. So, it is no surprise to see midfielders being linked with a move to Liverpool.

Anton Stach could be a quality addition to Liverpool’s ranks

Liverpool’s primary midfield target for this summer remains Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham, but it is looking less and less likely that they will be able to sign him. After the 5-2 thrashing at the hands of Real Madrid in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp’s troops face a big battle to turn the tie around in the second leg in Spain.

The Reds are at major risk of missing out on Champions League qualification for next season as they currently find themselves seven points adrift of the top four spots in the Premier League. If they fail to qualify for the Champions League, poaching Bellingham from Dortmund would become really difficult. This could force Klopp and Liverpool to look at other midfield targets.

Anton Stach, who has a contract with Mainz until 2024, is the latest midfielder linked with a move to Liverpool. He is primarily a defensive midfielder, but is also capable of playing in a box-to-box role or as a No.10. The two-cap Germany international is a strong and towering player who could add some much-needed physicality to Liverpool’s midfield unit.

Stach has the technical attributes to thrive in the Premier League, and he could improve Jurgen Klopp’s side. At 24, the Mainz star has not hit his prime yet, but he is still rated very highly in the Bundesliga. Also, moving to the Premier League and working under a world-class tactician like Klopp would be an exciting challenge for the German midfielder.

All in all, Liverpool could make a move for a player like Stach if they can secure an exciting midfield talent playing regularly in the Bundesliga without splashing out a lot of money.