How 'perfect' Liverpool target likened to Kante could look in starting XI next season

Deals to sign promising young stars Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsey from Fulham and Aberdeen respectively were followed up by the blockbuster arrival of Darwin Nunez from Benfica.

While it's expected that manager Jurgen Klopp is happy with the squad at his disposal, reports have suggested the club could move for Nicolo Barella if the opportunity presented itself.

The Italian media have suggested the Premier League side could be interested in a swap deal that would see Naby Keita head to Inter as part of the deal for a player former Anfield man David Thompson would love to see don the Liver bird.

"Nicolo Barella is a super player and would be a perfect player for

Liverpool," he tweeted.

After moving to Anfield for £48million in 2018, Keita has struggled to make the sort of impact that many had hoped, meaning he's since fallen down the pecking order at the club.

That means the opportunity to use him as a makeweight in a deal to sign Barella could be very appealing.

The Inter star, who was compared by Italy teammate Jorginho to Chelsea's N'Golo Kante, is regarded as a box-to-box midfielder with an eye for goal.

"They resemble each other in characteristics, they run for everyone, they cover the field a lot, they have power physics. They both give me a big hand in midfield," he said of the 25-year-old en route to Italy winning Euro 2020.

With an excellent long-range strike, well-timed runs into the box and an ability to strike a clean set piece, Barella appears to be an ideal fit.

While Liverpool's defensive line will no doubt look very similar to last term, Barella could see himself slotting into central midfield alongside Fabinho and Thiago Alcantara.

With Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz and new signing Nunez likely to lead the line next term, the signing of the Italian midfielder could be a really shrewd addition to kick the Reds' midfield on to the next level.

Here's how Liverpool's team could look with Barella on board.