Do Liverpool need to go into the Transfer Market for a Midfielder?
18/11/2024 16:54:40
Liverpool FC have started life under new manager Arne Slot with two wins in the Premier League, firstly away at newly promoted Ipswich Town, and then at Anfield to Brentford. Liverpool looked very impressive in these games particularly in the second half, as Slot begins to develop his playing style with the players. At this moment Liverpool are the only Premier League team not to have signed anyone for the upcoming season, although they have completed a signing for Valencia goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili for £29m but he will remain on loan at Valencia until the 25/26 season. Liverpool are also close to a deal to sign Juventus winger Federico Chiesa for a deal in the region of £10.9m. This deal may seem on paper to be a strange one as Liverpool are very strong in the attacking areas with Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Cody Gakpo already in their ranks.
However, it is a deal with low risk because of the price and he will provide cover for Mohamed Salah, who is also coming into the final year of his contract. Much of the talk this summer was about how Liverpool need to strengthen in midfield particularly in the number 6 position. It could be said that Liverpool have yet to replace Fabinho who left last summer, with the signing of Endo last year considered to be a quick fix. They have made plenty of attempts over the last couple of years to sign a number 6, missing out on Aurelien Tchouameni in 2022 to Real Madrid, missing out on Romeo Lavia and Moises Caicedo to Chelsea in 2023 and this summer failing to sign Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi. Liverpool have made plenty of attempts to fill a potential hole in their squad, but with the way Arne Slot wants to play, do they need a specialist number 6? In this article we will take a look at Slot’s style of play as well as the performances of Ryan Gravenberch who has started the season in the number 6 position for Liverpool.
What Slot wants from his midfielders?
Arne Slot has been clear that he wants his midfielders to control the game by building attacks and preventing counter-attacks. This should ultimately be welcomed by Liverpool fans, as the transitional style of play while brilliant in attack left them open defensively. Liverpool conceded 41 league goals last season, the 11th most in the division. This season they have kept 2 clean sheets in 2 games, they kept 10 clean sheets in 38 games last season, which was just 26.3% of their matches. Fans certainly enjoyed the heavy metal attacking style of Jurgen Klopp that brought lots of success, but Slot will bring something slightly different. He does like his teams to attack and score goals but wishes them to be patient on the ball, especially the midfielders. He plays a 4-2-3-1 with a double pivot in midfield with one of the 2 midfielders, in the case of the opening fixtures Alexis Macallister drifting forward and creating chances, while the other, Ryan Gravenberch sits back and controls the game. With the way Slot plays it could be argued he does not need a ball winning number 6, he needs someone who is good on the ball and can break the lines, which is Gravenberch’s qualities.
Arne Slot has been clear that he wants his midfielders to control the game by building attacks and preventing counter-attacks. This should ultimately be welcomed by Liverpool fans, as the transitional style of play while brilliant in attack left them open defensively.
Ryan Gravenberch’s Performances:
Ryan Gravenberch has been excellent in the opening 2 games of Liverpool’s season in that number 6 position alongside Alexis Macallister. In the opening game versus Ipswich, Gravenberch completed 86% of his passes (48/56), had 67 touches, 9 passes into the final 3rd, 2/2 long balls, 2 recoveries, won 5/11 ground duels, and was not dribbled past. This is what Slot wants from his number 6, someone who keeps possession and limits the opposition. Versus Brentford, Gravenberch completed the most passes (72), won the most tackles (3) and made the most recoveries (8) while he was on the pitch, again exactly what Slot wants.
Gravenberch is shining in his new role at Liverpool and may be the answer to Liverpool fans' prayers. Last summer Liverpool completed a midfield overhaul, bringing in Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Macallister and Endo. Liverpool have the players at their disposal to play the way Slot wants with Gravenberch and Macallister excellent on the ball in the double pivot, as well as Curtis Jones who could also play the way Slot wants. They also have Harvey Elliott and Dominik Szoboszlai who can play in the number 10 role. Time will tell whether Liverpool will dip into the market for a midfielder, or if they even need one depending on how the season goes, but I believe Liverpool fans can feel they are stocked well in that position currently, for what the manager wants.
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✒️ Jack Guing – Football and GAA Sports Expert
Jack Guing has a strong knowledge of the sport of GAA through the lens of performance analysis with multiple GAA teams. He holds a master's degree in sports performance. He has a huge love of all things sports, especially golf, soccer and GAA. He uses statistics and performance analysis in order to predict the outcome of matches and events.
