Liverpool’s midfield rebuild all through the 2023/24 season leaves Arne Slot with a powerful listing 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 damage woes protecting 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 bunch 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 season and we noticed it remodel from a dysfunctional and ageing contingent to a dynamic and energetic one, which Slot will intention to construct on.
And that is the place the lacking piece comes into play, a participant who nearly bridges the hole between the eldest midfielder and the youngest of their prime (Endo to Gravenberch).
It isn’t to say that any funding this summer season in a participant who’s nearer to Gravenberch than Endo in age could be a misstep, however there is a chance to amass an skilled participant of their prime.
The plain 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 method within the information that they’ve a brand new technology ready within the wings.
Atalanta’s Ederson has been speculated as a possible possibility for the membership this summer season and he would match the invoice as he turns 25 in July and has over 200 video games to his title.
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 season, however they can not relaxation on their laurels, they have to as a substitute be proactive in guaranteeing there may be elevated competitors within the staff and high quality too.
