Liverpool’s midfield rebuild all through the 2023/24 season leaves Arne Slot with a formidable record of choices of their prime or approaching it, however a key piece is lacking.
Jurgen Klopp had solely six constant midfield choices final season, with Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic‘s persistent harm woes retaining them out of the German’s attain.
The common age of that contingent was 23.1 years, a marked discount from the typical age of 27.2 years from the midfield that was turned to in 2022/23.
Thus, with Wataru Endo (31), Alexis Mac Allister (25), Dominik Szoboszlai (23), Curtis Jones (23), Ryan Gravenberch (22) and Harvey Elliott (21), Slot has a number of midfielders of their peak or approaching it.
Klopp had three midfielders within the prime age bracket between 22 and 28 heading into final season, Slot will inherit 4 – although you’ll be able to argue Elliott now deserves to make it 5.
Within the likes of Stefan Bajcetic (19), Bobby Clark (19) and even James McConnell (19) and Tyler Morton (21), there are additional youth choices who’ve expertise behind them.
The midfield was the clear focus final summer time and we noticed it remodel from a dysfunctional and ageing contingent to a dynamic and energetic one, which Slot will goal to construct on.
And that is the place the lacking piece comes into play, a participant who virtually bridges the hole between the eldest midfielder and the youngest of their prime (Endo to Gravenberch).
It’s not to say that any funding this summer time in a participant who’s nearer to Gravenberch than Endo in age could be a misstep, however there is a chance to accumulate an skilled participant of their prime.
The apparent place so as to add this profile is with one other defensive midfielder, one who will complement Liverpool’s No. 3 and guarantee Mac Allister stays as a No. 8.
That the membership have future prime-age midfielders in Clark and McConnell permits them to take this strategy within the information that they’ve a brand new technology ready within the wings.
Atalanta’s Ederson has been speculated as a possible choice for the membership this summer time and he would match the invoice as he turns 25 in July and has over 200 video games to his identify.
It poses an fascinating query to the membership’s new switch hierarchy, overseen by Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards as to how they proceed to evolve the midfield group.
An enormous step was taken final summer time, however they can not relaxation on their laurels, they need to as an alternative be proactive in guaranteeing there’s elevated competitors within the workforce and high quality too.
