Liverpool transfer target and 2022 World Cup sensation Sofyan Amrabat has been favourably compared to Javier Mascherano by journalist Pete O'Rourke, with Jurgen Klopp reportedly mulling over a winter move.

What's the word?

According to Corriere dello Sport (via the Liverpool Echo), the Reds' German manager is striving to drive a deal over the line this winter, with Moroccan phenom Amrabat at the heart of the attention.

Fiorentina would reportedly be resigned to consider a bid in the region of €40m (£35m), and Klopp must act swiftly and test the Italian outfit's resolve if he is to stabilise the ship and set Liverpool on course for success during the business end of the season.

According to O'Rourke, who was speaking to Football FanCast, Amrabat could even be like a former Red, with Liverpool wise to try and sign such a player as the club languish in sixth place, seven points off Manchester United in the top four.

The transfer insider said: "He can be better than Mascherano in possession which would be a big bonus for Liverpool as well and if he's half as good as Mascherano I'm sure Liverpool fans would be more than happy to have him at Anfield."

A monster signing on the way?

Liverpool's desperation in the pursuit of fresh faces in midfield has become all the more apparent this term, with a stark decline in form and fluidity following a previous year that clinched a domestic double in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup and a 92-point Premier League finish.

The 26-year-old Amrabat could prove to be the glittering gem to serve as a central focal point in righting the wrongs and oozing assurance and quality from the middle, weaving a layer of undeniable excellence into the fold.

The Liverpool faithful will know all about the ball-playing mastery and defensive resilience of Mascherano, with the phenom having plied his trade at Anfield during his playing career, signing from West Ham United in an initial loan deal in 2007.

Mascherano, who was once heralded as a "phenomenon" by compatriot Pablo Zabaleta, played across five seasons for Liverpool before earning a £22m move to FC Barcelona, and his versatility as a holding midfielder and defender earned him lavish praise for his dynamism and effectiveness

A notable maestro with the ball at his feet, completing 88.5% of passes throughout his career post-2008, the Argentine took control of matches and utilised his footballing intellect to pick precise, positive passes.

Amrabat can adopt this mantle, and O'Rourke's praise over his aptitude in possession is bolstered by the statistics; as per FBref, the "monster", as hailed by journalist Carlo Garganese, ranks within the top 5% for pass completion and the top 3% for progressive passes when compared to midfielders over the past year.

And, as per Sofascore, his exploits with Morocco in Qatar - an 85% passing accuracy, 2.3 tackles and 1.4 clearances per outing - were a pivotal factor behind his nation's historic surge to the semi-finals of the competition, ultimately finishing fourth.

With Liverpool indeed requiring a signing with world-class credentials to bolster the middle of the park, Amrabat might be the man; fleet-footed, pin-point, and robust, he could be Klopp's saving grace, a monster in the middle of the park, as the battle to secure that coveted Champions League spot intensifies.