Liverpool Urged to Sign Adam Wharton Amid Midfield Concerns

Phil Thompson has told Liverpool to stop hesitating and throw their weight behind a move for Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton – or risk walking into the new season badly underpowered in the middle of the pitch.

Midfield numbers exposed

Curtis Jones is on his way to Inter Milan, a move that strips another layer from Liverpool’s midfield depth. As it stands, Andoni Iraola is preparing for Sunday’s 2026/27 Premier League opener at St. James’ Park with just three established central midfielders: Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch.

Szoboszlai carried the midfield last season, taking the club’s men’s player of the year award. Mac Allister and Gravenberch went the other way. Both struggled to hit previous heights under Arne Slot, leaving question marks over their form heading into Iraola’s first campaign.

For Thompson, that combination – a demanding new manager, a heavy schedule and a thin core – is a dangerous mix.

The former Liverpool captain believes relying on only three senior central midfielders would be close to negligence from the club hierarchy, given the intensity Iraola wants and the volume of games ahead.

Wharton at the top of the list

Wharton has hovered around Liverpool’s radar for some time. Manchester City recently tested Palace’s resolve with an inquiry for the England international, only to be firmly knocked back.

Palace want to keep him. Thompson thinks Liverpool should be trying to change their mind.

Speaking on the BOYLE Sports and Footy Accumulators podcast, No Tippy Tappy Football, Thompson made his stance clear.

“Adam Wharton is a player that I would be interested in signing for Liverpool,” he said, before questioning why no major club has moved decisively for the 22-year-old this summer.

Thompson highlighted Wharton’s character as much as his ability, stressing that top clubs need strong personalities as well as technical quality. In his view, Wharton fits that profile and looks destined to be the next big-money sale out of Selhurst Park.

“I think he’s probably the next player Crystal Palace will have to sell, because they have to sell one a year for big money,” Thompson said.

Iraola’s rebuild still looks light

While Liverpool wrestle with Paris Saint-Germain over winger Bradley Barcola, Iraola at least has three fresh faces to call on this weekend: defenders Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo, plus winger Victor Munoz.

It’s a start, not a solution.

Thompson believes Liverpool are still several signings short if they want to live with Europe’s elite. He argues the squad needs four, maybe five, more additions before the window shuts – with defence, midfield and the wide areas all requiring reinforcement to ensure two high-level options in every position.

“Defensively, certainly; maybe a midfield player and a wide player too, because you need two quality players for every position,” he said.

Liverpool spent heavily last season and will again face questions over how far they can push it. Thompson points to the global pull and commercial power of clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United as the financial engine that allows them to keep investing.

From his perspective, that strength should be used now. The new manager is in, the season is here, and the midfield is one injury away from crisis.

For Thompson, the answer is obvious: go and get Adam Wharton – and don’t stop there.