After the way Liverpool were opened up on the break time and again by Newcastle United at the weekend, there has been plenty of discussion about their midfield make-up. But do they really need a new ‘six’ before the transfer window shuts?
The notion a team ‘just needs a defensive midfielder’ is a bit of a tired cliché.
For so many years, Arsenal fans insisted they were ‘only a defensive midfielder’ away from glory, while Chelsea just needed a ‘Claude Makélélé replacement’ to dominate again, and now you can’t move for Liverpool fans and pundits alike calling for a ‘Fabinho replacement’ if they’re to challenge this season.
The Brazilian, known as the ‘lighthouse’ at Anfield, did a fine job anchoring a midfield that led Liverpool to a Champions League, Premier League, and a remarkable three 90+ point seasons after his arrival in 2018.
There was more to that team, of course, but there is a growing feeling the club never replaced Fabinho after his departure in 2022, and those claims echoed louder on Sunday after Liverpool’s 2-2 draw at Newcastle United to kick off the 2026-27 season under Andoni Iraola.
Despite the new era under a new head coach, familiar problems cost Liverpool two points on Tyneside, and almost all three had it not been for Dominik Szoboszlai’s 99th-minute penalty.
Newcastle took the lead in the fifth minute from a direct and simple move straight down the middle of the pitch, with Anthony Elanga firing past Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexander Isak. Gravenberch was theoretically the six, but he was also the one who gave the ball away both times in advanced positions, leaving acres of space behind him for the hosts to take advantage of.
Daniel Sturridge certainly thinks it’s something his former club should address. He told Sky Sports after the game: “I think the team needs a defensive midfielder, personally. We’ve been talking about a defensive midfielder at Liverpool for the last three years.
“Gravenberch coming into the team, playing consistently and Liverpool winning the Premier League sort of changed that philosophy, but if you actually analyse the midfield, they’re all naturally more attacking players.
“For instance, if you look at someone like Brentford, they bring in [Mamadou] Sangaré… For me, £39 million, you sort of think to yourself: ‘That’s not a load of money for someone like Liverpool’. I’m not suggesting that he was the man, but [his] stats jump off the page. Liverpool don’t have that profile of player right now.”
Sturridge was referring to
Hence then, the article about do liverpool need a defensive midfielder or just more discipline was published today ( ) and is available on The Analyst ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Do Liverpool Need a Defensive Midfielder, or Just More Discipline? )
Also on site :
- Walmart’s ‘Elegant’ $48 7-Piece Bed-in-a-Bag Comforter Set Is ‘Soft,’ ‘Cozy,’ and Available in 10 Colors
- Syrian Observatory: Seven Israeli Incursions into Southern Syria in Past 24 Hours
- JetBlue’s Mint Passengers Are Finally Getting Free Lounge Access