LIVERPOOL’S MIDFIELD MAYHEM

fans of Liverpool and even non-fans of Liverpool have their ideas and theories of why it has gone so wrong for Liverpool this season.

Lord knows I have my opinions, which I have expressed on social media frequently since 2020, and especially at the start of this season, to the point where I wrote an article about needing a formation and tactical change.

I find it funny that people are only catching on to things I was saying 6, 12, and even 18 months ago. But such is life. Nevertheless, this is not about the how’s and why’s, this is about the solutions.

Regardless of the intricacies of what the causes are, and there are many, the universal one is the lack of midfield reinforcements. Since Liverpool won the Champions League in 2019, they have only brought in Grujic, who has since left and Thiago in the midfield.

Some may put Elliot and Carvalho in there, but I would put them more in the attacking three options. It is only Klopp who seems to try to fit them in the midfield three for some bizarre reason, which is another part of the problem.

Anyway, staying on Klopp and his bizarre decisions. He came out at the beginning of the season very defensive, and in a series of annoyed attacks on fans who called for midfield reinforcements.

He reeling off the midfielders he had in the squad and then suggested that Liverpool did not need anymore.

As bizarre as this was at the time, I was myself annoyed at his statements and knew it would come back to bite him as the season went on.

It became glaringly obvious, with Klopp not helping himself by sticking to the same formation and tactics, that the midfield is seriously failing, and even Klopp had to bite the bullet, retract and say Liverpool has to bring in midfielders.

So, with that said, I am looking at the possible options that can make Liverpool great again. Below are the possibilities good and bad…..

Jude Bellingham

Naturally, a top choice for any team in any league to be fair, I consider Jude to be one of the best midfield prospects, not only to come out of England but currently in world football.

For me, he can do it all. From defence to attack, with energy, aggressiveness, tackling, passing ability, presence, a bit of skill, good in the air, box to box and can get a goal here and there.

But naturally, someone of that ilk, and so young, is not cheap. So, the price will always be a stumbling block for any team, let alone Liverpool. 

Declan Rice

he more the weeks and months go on, the more I like this for Liverpool. I think Rice has all the attributes Liverpool need and are looking for in a midfielder, combined with his temperament, age and experience playing in the league.

He is not competing at the highest level with West Ham with all due respect, so, he will be an easy temp.

However, West Ham will not want to lose their skipper, and no matter how tempting for Rice, Liverpool will have to break the bank for him.

Moises Caicedo

In his short time in the league, he has proved he can mix it in the fast, furious and demanding pace of the Premier League. Also, has shown quality on the ball, both defensively and offensively.

Maybe a few questions at the highest level or in Europe are yet to be answered, but he seems to have the quality that can take to anything. I feel he would be best suited with another attacking-based midfielder, where he can sit, win the ball, and start the attacks.

The price tag won’t be small but should be less than other options.

Youri Tielemans

In terms of different options, Tielemans is the player Liverpool has never replaced since Coutinho left. A forward-thinking midfielder, who can travel with the ball and shoot from range, he can also dissect defences with his passes in the channels.

He has gone off the boil recently but has the qualities needed to make a difference in any midfield, especially with other top-quality players around him.

I doubt his price tag will be astronomical, and his contract is running down, so that is something to look at.

Ruben Neves

He seems to have been around for while but is still just 25. He looks a natural-born leader and can provide bags of energy up and down the midfield, something Liverpool desperately need.

We all know about his goals from distance, which would be another plus if added to the team. However, he is still to convince of his credentials, at the very top level, in pressure situations.

But he seems to have a rock-solid temperament and shouldn’t be hard to temp away from Wolves. Also, the price tag should be doable if not cheap. 

Nicolo Barella

Admittedly I am half and half with this. A talented player with plenty of ability, but not so sure about him in the Premier League yet and in a Liverpool side.

What I would say is he has bags of energy and can get about the pitch, is rugged enough to handle the physical side, and once on the ball, has the quality to pick a pass and dictate play.

He is more defensively minded, but I have seen him run games. However, will he want to leave the San Siro for Anfield? And will the rigours of English football be too much for him?

Florian Neuhaus

Although I think he does fit the right mould and ticks a lot of the boxes, I am still not sure about this as I don’t know the player that well.

I have seen a bit of him and can see he is good on the ball and is a neat, pass-and-move player, who is technically very good but can also put his foot in. He looks a good fit for the Premier League, but people have said that about many players before and been wrong.

However, his name continues to be linked with Liverpool, so there must be something in it.

Ryan Gravenberch

The young Dutch midfielder has struggled to make an impact at Bayern, and with a Dutch connection at Liverpool, it could be a way out for him.

Still young and still have years to improve and develop but has obvious talent on and off the ball and can be a real gem if he gets it right. Also, a presence at just 20 years old; can still be moulded into a real star.

He can get about the pitch with ease, can also pick a pass and put his foot in when necessary. Naturally, he won’t be cheap, but the prospects could be huge. 

Mason Mount

I am only putting this option here as he continues to be linked to Liverpool over the past few months, and it does not seem to be going away, much to my frustrations.

However, I am not convinced he is a person who Liverpool should be looking at. Yes, he has attributes, and yes, he ticks a lot of boxes, including goals from midfield but not for me.

I am not sure he will fit into the team or contribute to solving the issues and signing him will be very risky. 

Philip Billing 

Just sneaking this one in. It will come out of left field, and I may get laughed out of the building for even suggesting this.

But I believe he has something, and given an opportunity, at a bigger club, with better players around him, it could be interesting. At 26 and 6ft 4in, he is a man mountain and approaching his prime.

But for someone so tall, he is tidy on the ball. Will be a presence in both boxes. Can be a real enforcer, and a bonus is he has a rocket of a shot. Bournemouth cannot garner astronomical money for him, and with Liverpool needing to purchase at least two top midfielders, this could be a shrewd third one.