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According to Correio de Manha via The Mirror, Sporting's Bruno Fernandes is on Liverpool's radar as Jurgen Klopp looks to add to his attacking contingent having missed out on signing Lyon's Nabil Fekir. Could he be the missing piece in the jigsaw?

What's the word?

Well, The Mirror reports (via Correio de Manha) that the Portuguese is a target for both AC Milan and the Reds as the club look to negotiate his exit amid crushing debt that amounts to around €281m.

The midfielder's release clause of €100million (£87m) is unlikely to be met by either of the aforementioned suitors and Sporting will surely have to negotiate a lower price in order to get the player off their books.

Having already seen the likes of William Carvalho and Rui Patricio leave over the summer in controversial fashion, the Lisbon-based outfit could be set to lose yet another star at the end of the season. What would be their undoubted loss, though, would be of enormous benefit to Jurgen Klopp and his side.

Finally... a playmaker

Klopp's tactical flexibility has seen the Reds flirt with a 4-2-3-1 and a 4-4-2, while also frequenting the 4-3-3 that has helped them become masters of Gegenpressing.

The former has required centre-forward Roberto Firmino to be deployed in the number 10 role while Mohamed Salah has been moved up front. Although the famous front three's linkup is as glorious as ever, there still remains the lack of an out-and-out playmaker.

Bayern Munich were resolute in their defending at Anfield on Tuesday night and it was clear the home side were crying out for a player who could create something out of nothing and unpick the Bavarians' defence with a special pass, as pinpointed by frustrated Reds fans below...

This has been a weakness of Liverpool's since the departure of Philippe Coutinho and Klopp surely feels this needs addressing. Fekir was intended to plug this gap but a switch to Merseyside never materialised and so the title challengers remain an incomplete puzzle.

Are fan nerves to blame for Liverpool's recent form? Pl>ymaker FC's Tom Skinner discusses in the video below...

If Manchester City prove too good once again this term, the signing of 24-year-old Fernandes, who has chalked up an impressive 21 goals and 11 assists in 2018/19, could be the addition that takes the Reds beyond their title rivals next season.