One of the big questions from the defeat to Manchester City — and in several games recently — is why Ryan Gravenberch isn’t protecting the Liverpool FC defence better, and why the team look so vulnerable when they lose the ball.
Liverpool have conceded too many goals this season where the back four are suddenly exposed, runners are not tracked, and the opposition seem to run straight through midfield.
The Role Of The Holding Midfielder
If Gravenberch is playing as the deepest midfielder, his main jobs are:
Protect the centre-backs Track runners from midfield Break up counter attacks Win second balls Block passing lanes Slow the game down when needed
At the moment, it feels like Liverpool often lose the ball and suddenly the opposition are running directly at the defence with very little protection in front of them.
That is a huge problem for any team.
Liverpool Too Easy To Play Through
This is the biggest issue right now — Liverpool look too easy to play through.
When teams attack Liverpool:
They get through midfield too easily The defence is exposed Full-backs are often high up the pitch Centre-backs are dragged wide Midfield runners are not tracked Crosses are not blocked
All of this makes the defence look worse than it actually is because they are constantly under pressure.
Is Gravenberch A Defensive Midfielder?
The big tactical question is whether Ryan Gravenberch is actually a natural defensive midfielder at all.
He has many strengths:
Good on the ball Drives forward well Good technique Strong physically Can carry the ball through midfield
But he is not naturally:
A destroyer A holding midfielder A player who sits and protects the defence Someone who reads danger like a specialist defensive midfielder
So Liverpool may actually be playing a player in a role that doesn’t fully suit him.
Why Liverpool Look So Vulnerable
Liverpool currently look vulnerable because:
Midfield not protecting defence Runners not being tracked Full-backs pushing high Space between midfield and defence Losing concentration after conceding Not winning duels in the box
When all of these things happen together, the team looks very open — and that’s exactly what we are seeing.
The Balance Isn’t Right
The biggest issue might simply be balance.
Great Liverpool teams always had balance in midfield:
Players who attack Players who create Players who protect Players who do the dirty work
Right now, it feels like Liverpool have too many attacking midfielders and not enough players protecting the defence.
Until that balance is fixed, Liverpool will probably continue to look vulnerable when they lose the ball.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
The Kopite View 
There is no longer ”a team” at Liverpool. Slot has disbanded it but has very little ability to build a replacement.