Liverpool are keen to land a Mainoo clone for £73m

Brittle. That's how Liverpool have felt throughout the 2025/26 season, shriveled and lacking the ideas and motivation that shaped Arne Slot's title-winning start.

Last year, Liverpool won the Premier League, and they won it well, a class above their rivals, finishing ten points clear of second-placed Arsenal despite some poor form and tension in the latter stages of the season.

Now, the Reds are fourth in the table with three games to play, 18 points behind Mikel Arteta's Gunners. It has been a tough year indeed, and Virgil van Dijk lamented his side's “unacceptable season”, insisting it will not be repeated.

That's all well and good, but FSG need to ensure that the Anfield team gets a fresh start by making better signings in the upcoming summer transfer market.

Liverpool are aiming to sign midfielders

This is a critical situation for Liverpool, who are not used to many missteps from FSG's passing cannon. More additions are needed, but it's clear that the Reds need a midfielder above all others, with Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch rounding out the strength of their squad.

Liverpool need a deep-lying midfielder, and there's no mistaking it. Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton seems top of the shopping list at the moment, but perhaps FSG are brewing the wrong medicine there, with another target emerging that could prove to be a better player.

According to Danish outlet Bold, Liverpool are keen to sign Porto's Victor Froholdt, the 20-year-old who has quickly emerged as one of the most exciting midfielders in Europe.

With Arsenal and Newcastle United also keen on the young midfielder, Liverpool need to make a quick decision, with the player carrying a buyout clause in his £73m Porto contract.

If Liverpool complete the deal, they could also drop their interest in Wharton, as questionable as that may sound.

Why Froholdt would be a better signing than Wharton

Froholdt is still at the beginning of his professional career, but he has already established himself as a star in the making, with his strong and active style of play compared to Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo, mainly due to his ability to be an excellent duo player with balls from the center to the edge of the danger zone.

Commentator Ben Mattinson hailed the Danish midfielder's “very impressive” start to Porto's first team, having only joined from Copenhagen last summer. Despite his youth and lack of experience, he has made outstanding appearances, starting 31 times in Liga Portugal.

Froholdt is more aggressive than the England international, improving on the ball and scoring less in duels. He's not a tireless ball-winner, but his physicality and ambition earned him rave reviews during his big break with Porto.

While Froholdt is still developing, he could fit in well with Gravenberch in the center of the park over the next few years, bringing a Mainoo-esque quality that will allow the Dutchman to focus on his passing and possession. Froholdt has averaged 4.7 tackles per game in the league this season.

Liverpool desperately need to fix their midfield, which is too faultless and error-prone. Froholdt is only young, but he has a lot of potential, and while he is not as prolific as Wharton, his presence in midfield could pay off for Liverpool in the long run, fixing the problem that threatens to eat up the slot and the Anfield side's season.

Froholdt made a mistake, and considering his age, he will develop into a powerful and formidable midfielder over the next few years. In addition, he made only one mistake all year in Portugal, naming his youth with such confidence in football.

Wharton is almost as weak in the middle of the park. He averages two strikes per game in the Premier League this season, and has won 50% of his ground balls.

However, Froholdt, who is three years his junior, is quickly developing into an elite midfielder, hailed as “the best player in the Portuguese league this season” by Portuguese football expert Gonçalo Tristão Santos.

He moves quickly in power. Just imagine where Froholdt could end up after a few years with Liverpool, especially considering his physical style matches the side of Slot's profile that needs it the most.