Carragher Warns Liverpool Midfield Could Become a Huge Problem
Jamie Carragher has rarely been shy when it comes to identifying Liverpool’s weaknesses, and his latest concern feels increasingly difficult to dismiss.
For all the movement elsewhere in the squad this summer, Liverpool’s midfield remains largely untouched. Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo have strengthened the defence, Victor Munoz has arrived to bolster the attacking options, while Kostas Tsimikas and Harvey Elliott have returned from loan.
Yet the most structurally important area of Andoni Iraola’s side may still be missing a specialist.
Carragher believes Liverpool need a recognised No. 6, and he has described the current midfield situation as a “huge problem”.
Carragher Questions Liverpool Midfield Balance
Liverpool were linked with Adam Wharton earlier in the year, while Elliot Anderson was also discussed before his move to Manchester City. Even so, adding a defensive midfielder has not appeared to be among the club’s immediate priorities.
Carragher thinks that approach carries considerable risk.
“The midfield issue for me is still a huge problem for Liverpool,” he said on The Overlap.
Ryan Gravenberch performed the No. 6 role during Liverpool’s title-winning campaign, yet last season exposed some of the difficulties involved in asking him to control large areas of midfield under a different tactical structure.
Carragher believes those spaces could remain an issue if Gravenberch partners Dominik Szoboszlai in a deeper midfield pairing.
“The problem Liverpool had last season was there was space everywhere in Liverpool’s midfield,” Carragher started. “That has not gone away at all.
“That’s only going to get bigger with the deployment of Szoboszlai in midfield – it looks like they’re going to play him (there), rather than as a No. 10, almost as a central midfield player alongside Gravenberch, and that is just pure box-to-box.
“I look at that midfield three and I worry about Liverpool.”
Quality Alone May Not Solve Liverpool Problem
There is an interesting contradiction within Liverpool’s midfield options. Gravenberch, Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz all possess considerable individual quality, yet their collective instincts may leave the side vulnerable.
Carragher explained:
“When you name six or seven of Liverpool’s players, you can’t say they’re not top players.
“You can’t say Gravenberch is not a really good player, or Wirtz, or Szoboszlai.
“But as a midfield three, I look at that and think, oh no – there’s almost too much quality, but they all want to go and play and run.
“And even in pre-season, the space is coming through the middle.”
That may be the central issue. Midfields are rarely assembled simply by putting three gifted footballers next to each other. Roles matter, positioning matters, discipline matters.
Liverpool currently have plenty of players capable of carrying the ball, pressing forward and influencing attacks. Carragher’s concern is whether anybody is truly equipped to remain behind the play and protect the spaces others vacate.
Mac Allister Role Comes Under Scrutiny
Alexis Mac Allister complicates the picture further.
Carragher questioned exactly how the Argentine fits into Iraola’s midfield structure, particularly if Liverpool intend to rely heavily on Gravenberch and Szoboszlai.
“What’s the point of Mac Allister if he’s not your passer? Because he’s not running everywhere – he’s supposed to sit in midfield and dictate the play,” Carragher continued.
“But number two, Gravenberch isn’t what you’d call a complete midfielder…he’s not a Caicedo – he’s probably got a slightly different game. He’s not just an out-and-out No. 6.
“We need to buy that type of player, not just to play every week, but what if Gravenberch gets injured?
“You’re telling me that Liverpool’s central midfield will only be Mac Allister and Szoboszlai!?”
Midfield Signing Could Define Liverpool Season
Liverpool’s remaining transfer priorities appear focused heavily on attacking reinforcements, particularly in wide areas.
Carragher’s argument is that a No. 6 could prove equally important.
Liverpool have enough creativity, running power and technical ability across midfield. What they may lack is someone whose primary responsibility is control.
That difference can seem subtle in August. Over the course of a Premier League season, it can become decisive.
For Iraola, the challenge is ensuring Liverpool’s midfield has enough structure to match its talent. Carragher clearly believes that balance has not yet been found.