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The new Milner? Liverpool eye midfield ace who can also play left-back - report
By Harvey Byrne
Liverpool have Anderlecht defender Frank Acheampong in their sights, according to a report.
The Sun has claimed that manager Jurgen Klopp’s scouting team has watched the 23-year-old left-sided player “several times” this season.
The young star is rated at £6million and, like current Anfield ace James Milner, he can play the left-back and left-wing roles.
He has more often played the left-back role this season and Klopp could be looking at him to solve the troublesome position at Liverpool.
The Merseysiders currently have Milner out of his natural midfield position in the defence with full-back Alberto Moreno not considered good enough defensively.
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Acheampong has played in 28 encounters for Anderlecht, providing five assists and one goal from his full-back position.
Acheampong has 12 caps for Ghana and is due to play at next month’s Africa Cup of Nations, which will also see Liverpool attacker Sadio Mane leave the club for a month.
But, Klopp could be willing to wait for Acheampong, who is currently contracted until 2019, as he sees him as a long-term left-back at the club.
The German manager will currently be drafting up options for the winter window with his side sat in second and six points behind league leaders Chelsea.
Football Insider verdict:
It was clear that Klopp needed a left-back in the summer, but he didn’t sign one, keeping his faith in Moreno. However, his decision has since damaged the side and could prove to be the difference between Liverpool winning their first Premier League title and finishing second. He must now enter the market for a full-back in January. Acheampong at 23 could prove good enough to make the position his own at Liverpool and for the future and at £6million he would be considered little risk. The Africa Cup of Nations is a slight worry, but it depends whether Klopp believes he can go one more month with Milner in the position.
In other Liverpool transfer news, Stuart Pearce responds to question regarding the Reds needing a new goalkeeper.