Crystal Palace display showed Liverpool could be about to make an £80m transfer mistake this summer - opinion
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Liverpool supporters turned up at Anfield on Saturday keen to run the rule over reported transfer target Adam Wharton.The Reds had been heavily linked with Wharton in the run up to the clash against Crystal Palace, with suggestions emerging that the 22-year-old is seen as a ‘dream’ midfield addition this summer.In that context, Saturday’s performance proved to be something of an anti-climax from Wharton, and though his talents are clear, his lack of impact against a midfield two of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai suggested that Liverpool should steer clear of making another expensive mistake. Who was the best performer in a nervy win against Crystal Palace? 👀 Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images Wharton failed to impress against LiverpoolDespite the scoreline, Palace actually put in a decent display against the Reds, and were arguably unlucky to come away with nothing.Nevertheless, Liverpool’s midfielders ended the game having won the battle in the middle of the pitch, with Mac Allister even claiming two assists.Amid that, Wharton struggled to impose himself, winning just five of nine duels and completing an underwhelming 71% of his passes.
For a midfielder known for his passing abilities, it was slightly alarming to see the England international look somewhat wayward.Mac Allister and Szoboszlai, on the other hand, posted 82% and 88% completion rates respectively, with the Argentine also easily holding Wharton off to lay on Florian Wirtz’s game-killing third goal.Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty ImagesREAD MORE: Adam Wharton shares how good he thinks Liverpool are as rumours of Anfield move accelerateThere was the odd moment of class from Wharton, notably his perfectly weighted through-ball for Jorgen Strand-Larsen, who somehow managed to hit both posts when one-on-one with Freddie Woodman.However, replays showed that Strand-Larsen would likely have been flagged offside had he found the net, and Wharton’s decision to slightly delay his pass contributed to that.Liverpool need a different profile in midfieldThough it is perhaps unfair to judge a player based on one performance, Saturday was simply more evidence that Wharton is not the profile Liverpool need to add to their midfield this summer.Prior to the match, Opta released some data which showed that Wharton is among the 10 slowest players in the Premier League this season, and that should set some alarm bells ringing at Anfield. You can only pick ONE player for Liverpool to sign this summer, who is it?
Who should Richard Hughes be targeting above all… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones Speed has been a real problem all over the pitch for the Reds in 2026/27, and with Wharton struggling to match even Mac Allister, both in the numbers and at Anfield on Saturday, it seems counterintuitive to actively add a player who would worsen that issue.If Wharton was available for a decent fee this summer things might be different, but with a reported £80m price-tag on his head, Liverpool simply do not need to take this risk. Instead, the Reds should be looking at a more physical, dynamic midfielder, perhaps in the mould of an Angelo Stiller, the Stuttgart schemer who looks ready to move on from the Bundesliga.Liverpool looked at Stiller after missing out on Martin Zubimendi in 2024, and if midfield is indeed a key area to strengthen in the off-season, the Reds would be better off ignoring Wharton and doing something different.