​Premier League-winning defender Robert Huth has highlighted a midfielder he believes would be a perfect fit for Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool project. The Reds have already adjusted their squad ahead of the Spaniard’s first season in charge, bolstering the back line with Jeremy Jacquet and the attack with Victor Munoz, but they have yet to recruit in the engine room.
Rumors swirled in June about Liverpool’s interest in Felix Nmecha, with reports suggesting the club, along with Manchester clubs, had made contact over a potential move for the 25-year-old midfielder. Huth, speaking exclusively to Empire of the Kop via WhoScored, recalled his admiration for the Borussia Dortmund man, arguing that Nmecha’s high-pressing style would dovetail with Iraola’s philosophy at Anfield. The former Leicester City defender, who lifted the Premier League crown a decade ago, said: “Felix Nmecha stood out in the Germany squad. He performed well, he kept winning the ball. I think he would suit Liverpool under Iraola. I know how he wants fast-flowing football, rapid transitions, winning the ball high up the pitch. Nmecha has been doing that at the World Cup, so whether Liverpool push for it or not, that remains to be seen, but he certainly possesses excellent qualities.”
Nmecha’s €80 million (about £68.2m) release clause becomes active next year, though Dortmund may entertain offers close to €100m (£85.3m) this summer, according to Sport Bild via Bulinews. It’s clear that the Germany international would not come cheaply if Liverpool pursued him, yet his 2025/26 statistics align with Huth’s assessment of his proclivity for reclaiming possession high up the pitch. He averaged 4.49 ball recoveries per game and won the ball in the attacking third 0.49 times per Bundesliga match last season, placing him in the 71st percentile among his positional peers for the latter metric, according to Fotmob.
Germany’s woes at the World Cup overshadowed some standout showings, and Nmecha emerged as one of the tournament’s brightest performers with his off-the-ball work. Though he isn’t a natural number six, the 25-year-old could provide Liverpool with added steel in the middle of the park, potentially allowing the likes of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister to push higher and influence matches further up the pitch. If Liverpool decide to pursue him, it would mark a bold statement about Iraola’s plans and the club’s ambition to blend tenacity, athleticism, and technical quality across the midfield.
As the Anfield hierarchy weigh Huth’s take on Nmecha, fans will be watching closely to see whether Liverpool escalate their pursuit of a dynamic two-way midfielder who can press relentlessly, win second balls, and contribute to quick transitions. The concept of integrating a high-energy operator into the middle of the park aligns with Iraola’s vision for fast, aggressive football, and Nmecha’s profile certainly fits that blueprint. Whether Liverpool move decisively and whether Dortmund entertain such an approach remains to be seen, but the discussion underscores the breadth of options the club could consider as they shape a midfield capable of supporting a high-press, high-velocity system under their new head coach.