Liverpool Transfer News: Mateo Kovacic Talks Ongoing After Roberto Firmino Deal

Liverpool continue to negotiate with Inter Milan over midfielder Mateo Kovacic, according to David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com, who suggests the Reds are "taking concrete steps" to sign the talented Croatian.  

Amoyal believes Inter's €30 million (approx. £21.3 million) valuation "may not scare off" Liverpool, who have been working quickly to secure their transfer targets.

Reds boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed his fifth signing of the summer on Wednesday with the club's official announcement that Hoffenheim attacking midfielder Roberto Firmino will head to Anfield:

The Brazilian follows James Milner, Danny Ings, Adam Bogdan and Joe Gomez on the list of Liverpool's new acquisitions. 

Alex Harris of the Daily Star reports that up to nine players could be axed from Rodgers' squad after the exits of Steven Gerrard, Glen Johnson and Brad Jones, meaning the Northern Irish manager is likely cramming in preparation for the mass cull.

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Kovacic is built in the Rodgers mould. He is clever on the ball, loves to progress possession and is capable of helping out defensively. The 21-year-old's versatility means he can be deployed across the width of the midfield and in a more creative role. He scored five goals and assisted on three in 35 Serie A appearances last season, per WhoScored.com.

Rodgers could place Kovacic in central midfield alongside Jordan Henderson, with both sitting behind a creative three of Firmino, Philippe Coutinho and Adam Lallana. This would leave room for Daniel Sturridge up front in a 4-2-3-1 formation, eclipsing Liverpool's need for out-and-out wingers if Raheem Sterling departs.

The boss needs to free up vital squad space if he's going to continue spending, perhaps starting with unneeded striker Fabio Borini, per FourFourTwo writer Adam Digby, who tweeted a report from Il Tempo:

Rodgers has plenty of big decisions to make in the wake of his signings. B/R UK's Graham Ruthven recently looked at what the manager needs to address:

Firmino will be an excellent signing for the club if he is used as a creative midfielder, but Rodgers should refrain from pushing him further forward.

Although Brazil coach Dunga continues to use the 23-year-old as a striker at the Copa America, Firmino is most effective when feeding the ball forward. He's also an underrated worker and will muck in if he's stationed behind Sturridge or Ings.

Kovacic would add grittiness and bite to the Liverpool ranks; however, Rodgers continues to overlook an exciting midfield option in Emre Can, whose physicality and improving quality on the ball could work excellently alongside Henderson.

Spending heavily on Kovacic may dampen the club's ability to address other squad needs—such as a striker, a right-back and a physical defensive midfielder—but if utilised intelligently, Rodgers can make an increasingly exciting Liverpool puzzle work.