In Arne Slot’s new Liverpool, the midfield structure has changed and the role required of the midfielders has also changed. In particular, the position of the defensive midfielders has changed significantly, and they are no longer expected to be the ball-hunters they were under Jurgen Klopp.
If anything, midfielders with technique and a good passing sense have been given the opportunity to play. Alexis Mac Allister is outstanding, but his partner in crime is a crowd favourite, but at the moment Ryan Gravenberch, who started the opening game against Ipswich Town, tops the pecking order.
Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo, who was heavily favoured by the German captain, has also dropped down the pecking order, while Liverpool targeted Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi, but were unable to land him.
It is unlikely that they will make a move for another defensive midfielder, and they will have to fight with their current squad until at least the winter.
Former England midfielder John Barnes, who made over 400 appearances for Liverpool in his playing days and scored over 100 goals, has theorised that 19-year-old midfielder Stefan Bajcetic and 23-year-old midfielder Curtis Jones could play key roles.
“You also can look at Bajcetic. Obviously (Wataru) Endo came in as a stop-gap to play in that role.”
“He’s a very good defensive midfield player. But the way that Arne Slot wants to play, I think he wants more quality on the ball in terms of playing the ball forward, quickly, playing it into the pockets, playing one or two touch, I think Endo is very good defensively, but I think that the number six role to Liverpool is going to be like a Pirlo type of role, who is very good in possession.”
“So, Bajcetic can do that. Curtis Jones can and I’d say him more than Gravenberch, because Curtis Jones has played there. Gravenberch has played there but perhaps not quite as much. I think that Bajcetic, once he gets 100% fit, that role is his.”
“It’s a different kind of a role that number six, and I think that it probably would have suited Thiago the way that Arne Slot wants to play.”
“But of course, he’s not there. So yeah, I think that Curtis Jones could play in that role. But I think that long term, that’ll be Bajcetic.”
Compare.bet