Liverpool look all set to make their fifth major addition to the midfield within the last 12 months.
The Reds brought in four new players in the summer of 2023, as Jurgen Klopp completely revamped the middle of the pitch.
Despite that overhaul, though, there has remained a nagging feeling that Liverpool are still missing something.
The pre-season tour of the USA gave new head coach Arne Slot an indication that the Reds could do with another holding midfielder in the first-team squad. One who more suited the style of play he wants.
Thankfully, Liverpool look set to go out and get their man, with Real Sociedad now resigned to losing Martin Zubimendi to the Reds.
Jamie Carragher shares midfield ‘fear’
Liverpool fans are rightfully extremely excited over the prospect of signing Zubimendi.
The 25-year-old has previously been unattainable for clubs trying to prise him away from Sociedad. However, it looks probable that the Reds may succeed where others have failed.
We think Zubimendi is perfect for Liverpool’s midfield under Slot and will give them a bigger measure of control over the ball.
Having said that, though, there will be some who are still longing for a ‘destroyer’ type deep-lying player. Someone more in the Fabinho mould, perhaps.
One who sounds like he may be hankering for that is legendary former Liverpool player Jaime Carragher. Speaking on The Overlap, presumably recorded before the Reds’ push for Zubimendi, Carragher sounded a warning about Liverpool’s midfield.
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“I think the interesting thing is that when you look at Arne Slot play it looks a bit more technical than Jurgen Klopp,” explains the Liverpool legend.
“He’s a Dutch coach and when you think about what Jurgen did in that position he brought Fabinho in. I’m not sure Arne Slot is going to bring that type of footballer in,” Carragher adds. “I think he wants someone who can get on the ball and play.
“I thought Mac Allister did that role a lot for Liverpool last season. Liverpool definitely lack legs and energy in midfield. If you think about how they finished last season it was Mac Allister, Endo and Harvey Elliott as the midfield three. All got great strengths but none of them can run.
“When I look at that position, I say it’s a fear, I don’t know if Liverpool will bring any in, but if it’s a total footballer will he be too similar to Mac Allister last season, and you lacked that physical presence, that energy to protect the back four.”
Should Liverpool fans be worried?
It would be interesting to hear Carragher’s thoughts now that we know Zubimendi is essentially the player he is talking about here. No doubt we’ll get them at some stage.
From our point of view, we can understand the concerns that Carragher has. However, just look at Liverpool’s XI with Zubimendi in the midfield. It looks so well balanced.
The Reds are no mugs in the analytics department and if they think the Spaniard is the man to enhance n the way Slot wants to play through the midfield, then that’s more than good enough for us.
Carragher’s comment about being too similar to Mac Allister is interesting and may be something Liverpool need to watch out for. But the pair also feel like they’ll complement each other extremely well.
There are always fears over how new signings will adapt and the Reds’ midfield has been a worry for many for years now. But we think those days should be about to come to and end.
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