Liverpool could be heading into one of the busiest periods of their season, and if Andoni Iraola’s side beat Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, the fixture list could become absolutely relentless.
The Reds face Bournemouth at Anfield on December 16, with a place in the semi-finals at stake.
Win that tie and Liverpool could be playing twice-weekly football through January and into February, with Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup commitments all competing for attention.
And that brings me straight back to one name: Lamine Camara.
Liverpool need another midfielder, and the more I look at the schedule ahead, the more convinced I become that signing the Monaco midfielder in January makes perfect sense.
Liverpool Cannot Keep Running the Same Midfield Options
Let’s look at the situation.
Dominik Szoboszlai has already been struggling with an injury problem, and his latest comments after Hungary’s win over Georgia haven’t exactly been reassuring.
He admitted that he nearly pulled out of the match during the warm-up after feeling the injury when taking a shot.
Although he completed the game, he also confirmed that his treatment process would start all over again.
That is a concern.
Szoboszlai is an important player for Liverpool, but we cannot keep relying on him to play through discomfort, particularly when the schedule is about to become so demanding.
Trey Nyoni has been an excellent addition to Iraola’s midfield plans, but he’s only 19. We should be developing him, not expecting him to carry the responsibility of an entire midfield over a packed winter schedule.
Alexis Mac Allister remains crucial, while Ryan Gravenberch’s position in the pecking order has reportedly become less secure.
There simply isn’t enough depth and balance to take risks.
Why Lamine Camara Makes So Much Sense
I’ve been talking about Camara for months, and I genuinely believe he could be exactly what Liverpool need.
The 22-year-old Monaco midfielder offers energy, aggression, mobility and defensive awareness.
He isn’t simply a player who sits in front of the defence and passes sideways. He can win possession, cover ground, compete physically and help move the ball forward.
That’s the sort of midfielder Liverpool have been missing.
I’ve previously argued that we need someone with the qualities of Fabinho, although I’m not necessarily looking for an identical replacement.
We need a midfielder who can protect the back four while still having the ability to contribute in possession.
Camara could offer that.
There have also been reports that Liverpool’s interest has intensified ahead of the January transfer window, with suggestions that a deal with the player could be progressing.
Nothing should be treated as completed at this stage, but the links are certainly encouraging.
The Carabao Cup Could Make January Even Busier
Liverpool’s quarter-final against Bournemouth is scheduled for December 16.
If they progress, the Carabao Cup semi-finals are scheduled across January and February, with two legs to negotiate.
Add in the Champions League league-phase fixtures in January, the FA Cup third round and the Premier League programme, and Iraola could have very little opportunity to rest his key players.
This is where squad depth becomes absolutely vital.
You cannot expect the same 11 or 12 players to keep delivering every three days without consequences.
Injuries, fatigue and suspensions are inevitable over a long season.
Liverpool need options who can come into the team without the overall quality dropping significantly.
January Is the Time to Strengthen
I don’t want Liverpool waiting until the summer to address a problem that is already becoming obvious.
The midfield needs strengthening, and the upcoming schedule makes that need even more urgent.
Camara would give Iraola another option alongside Mac Allister, Nyoni and Szoboszlai. He could provide the defensive protection that has been missing while allowing the more creative players to concentrate on attacking.
It would also mean Nyoni isn’t expected to play every minute of every competition.
That’s important for his development.
Liverpool have ambitions in the cups and Champions League, and we cannot afford to approach the second half of the season with an inadequate midfield.
My Verdict: Get Camara Through the Door
I’m not saying Camara is guaranteed to solve every problem, and Liverpool must do their homework before committing a substantial transfer fee.
But the profile makes sense, the timing makes sense and the need is obvious.
Szoboszlai’s fitness is a concern, Gravenberch has questions to answer, and Nyoni needs support rather than an unrealistic workload.
If Liverpool are serious about competing across four competitions, they need another quality midfielder in January.
For me, Lamine Camara should be right at the top of that shopping list.
Don’t wait until the fixture congestion catches up with us. Strengthen the squad now and give Iraola the tools to compete.
By Jamie (The Kopite View)
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