ESPN pundit suggests Liverpool have two midfielders who just aren’t good enough

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Liverpool need to find the right player to unlock the best in Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis Mac Allister.

The Reds’ two headline midfield signings have slotted in nicely so far, with Szoboszlai in particular earning himself some rave reviews.

But with Mac Allister largely having to moonlight as a holding midfielder, there’s a feeling that there’s still more to come from both of them. And speaking to the ESPN FC podcast, pundit Steve Nicol says Jurgen Klopp needs to find the right player to sit in behind the pair – and it isn’t Wataru Endo or Curtis Jones.

“If they can get somebody beside the two of them [Szoboszlai and Mac Allister] they can just take a step further forward,” said the former Liverpool player. “Right now I don’t know [who that could be], I don’t have anyone.

“I used to think Amrabat would be the right one beside them, but at United it’s not quite working out. I thought initially he would be ideal, he could sit just behind the two of them and let them do more going forward. 

“But I don’t think Endo’s the answer, I don’t think Jones is the answer. So right now, I think Liverpool need to be on the lookout for somebody.”

Liverpool looking for answers

Some may feel Nicol picking out Endo in particular is a little harsh here. The 30-year-old has certainly divided opinion at Liverpool so far.

Jones is understandable for the pundit to highlight. It’s worth pointing out that Nicol isn’t saying that the Scouser isn’t the answer full-stop, just that he’s not the right man for defensive midfield. Most supporters would agree with that.

But in terms of Endo, that is his position. The Japan international was brought in as someone to do the dirty work behind Szoboszlai and Mac Allister.

In fairness to him, it’s still early days in his Liverpool career. There’s every chance he’ll improve and grow into the player to do that.

But for the moment, Nicol is right to say that he doesn’t look like being the answer.

There’s a reason Klopp is still playing Mac Allister in an unfamiliar No.6 role over Endo in the Premier League. The manager obviously doesn’t quite trust the 30-year-old for the time being.

That trust should hopefully start to be built as Endo gets more used to what’s expected of him at Liverpool. But at 30, there’s also a chance that it simply doesn’t happen for the former Stuttgart man.

In the meantime, the Reds have got to be searching for the right answer in the transfer market. It isn’t fair on Mac Allister to keep expecting him to deliver in the 6 role, nor is it conducive to the success of the team. There’s an answer out there, but it isn’t either of these two.