Todd Cantwell can be an ideal replacement for Adam Lallana at Liverpool, but he could block the path of Curtis Jones.
According to The Athletic, the Reds are eyeing up a move for Cantwell this summer, jumping ahead of Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham in the race to sign him.
The 21-year-old has been one of the plus points in a forgettable season for Norwich City, with the Canaries staring down the barrel of relegation back to the Championship.
Chipping in with six goals and two assists in the league, the Englishman’s silky midfield style has caught the eye, not least in both matches against Liverpool. There is an effortlessness to the youngster that instantly stands out – an almost Steve McManaman-esque ability to glide with the ball at his feet.
While still a raw talent with plenty of improving to do, it is easy to envisage why the Reds are reportedly interested in acquiring the services of the England Under-21 international.
With Adam Lallana expected to leave Liverpool this summer, a midfield vacancy will appear. In many ways, Cantwell is simply a younger version of the 31-year-old, with some fans drawing comparisons between the two.
He could come in as a squad player to begin with, earning minutes from the substitutes’ bench and playing in domestic cup games, all the while learning his trade under Jurgen Klopp.
To be a success in this Liverpool team you must be talented, hard-working and down-to-earth, all of which Cantwell is, rising through Norwich’s youth ranks in understated fashion.
My main worry about him moving to Anfield and replacing Lallana is the impact it could have on Jones.
The 19-year-old has enjoyed a season to treasure, scoring the winning goal against Everton in the FA Cup and generally impressing in his all-round game. He feels at a point where he is ready to become a fixture in Liverpool’s matchday squad, arguably offering more than Lallana already.
Cantwell coming in could be viewed as a kick in the teeth for Jones, considering he would potentially be added to a midfield already possessing a huge amount of depth, possibly pushing the latter further down the pecking order.
Despite this, Liverpool must be ruthless with Jones. If he is good enough, he will make the grade, but the Reds can’t afford to be ruling out new signings as a show of faith, and risk the teenager eventually not being good enough.
Cantwell isn’t perfect, and he certainly shouldn’t be viewed as a regular starter if he joins in the summer, but he has shown enough this season to suggest he is tailor-made to thrive at Liverpool.
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