If this latest report is accurate, Andoni Iraola has finally identified the position Liverpool need to address in January.
And honestly, I can understand why.
According to Indykaila News, Iraola is demanding a new No. 6 when the winter transfer window opens, believing that strengthening defensive midfield is the priority if Liverpool are going to take the next step tactically.
It is a significant claim, and one that has not been independently confirmed. But it raises an issue that Liverpool supporters have been discussing for a long time.
Liverpool need more protection in the middle of the park.
We’ve spent plenty of money strengthening the attack and bringing in exciting players, but having talented footballers isn’t enough if the balance of the team isn’t right.
And that is where I think Iraola could have a big decision to make.
Liverpool need a proper midfield anchor
I’ve said before that I like what Iraola is trying to do with Liverpool.
I want us to be aggressive, get the ball forward quickly and play with an attacking mentality. I’m not asking for a return to cautious football where we spend half the match passing sideways.
But attacking football still needs a solid foundation.
When Liverpool commit players forward, somebody has to recognise the danger, protect the centre-backs and stop opposition teams breaking through the middle.
That is what a good No. 6 can offer.
It isn’t just about making tackles or kicking opponents off the ball. It’s about positioning, reading the game, covering space and knowing when to hold your position rather than charging forward.
And I think Liverpool have sometimes lacked that balance.
The concern was clear during the early-season draw with Newcastle, when Liverpool were exposed on the counter-attack. Former captain Steven Gerrard has also called for a specialist defensive midfielder, arguing that the position has been sorely missed since Fabinho left in 2023.
That doesn’t mean Ryan Gravenberch or Dominik Szoboszlai are bad players.
Far from it.
But having good midfielders is not the same as having the right balance of midfielders.
Iraola needs to get the best out of his attacking players
This is the part that interests me most.
Liverpool have invested heavily in their attacking options, and I want to see those players given the platform to flourish.
Florian Wirtz needs the freedom to create. Szoboszlai needs opportunities to get forward. Gravenberch can carry the ball and drive through midfield.
But if too many players move forward at the same time, Liverpool can leave themselves vulnerable when possession is lost.
A specialist No. 6 could help provide that security.
He wouldn’t need to dominate every game or produce spectacular performances. Sometimes the best defensive midfielder is the player you barely notice because he is always in the right position.
He wins the ball, closes the passing lane, slows down a counter-attack and gives his teammates the confidence to take risks.
Those things don’t always show up in the highlights, but they can make an enormous difference to a team.
And with Iraola wanting Liverpool to play aggressively, that protection could be particularly important.
There are already some names to consider
Liverpool have been linked with several midfielders, including Monaco’s Lamine Camara.
Reports in September suggested Liverpool had explored a potential January move for the Senegal international, who could add energy and defensive ability to the midfield.
Aleksandar Stanković has also been mentioned as a possible option, although any move would depend on his situation at Inter Milan.
The important thing, though, is that Liverpool shouldn’t simply sign the biggest name available.
They need somebody who fits what Iraola wants to do.
A midfielder who can defend transitions, win duels, cover ground and make sensible decisions under pressure would be a valuable addition.
If that player can also move the ball forward quickly, even better.
The priority should be finding the right profile, not just another expensive signing.
I’m not convinced one signing fixes everything
I do want Liverpool to strengthen at No. 6, but I wouldn’t pretend that one new midfielder would suddenly solve every problem.
The team still needs to improve its combinations, movement and understanding under Iraola.
The manager himself has previously stressed the importance of getting Liverpool to function collectively, explaining that when the team isn’t well-drilled, individual players can end up looking worse than they really are.
That is worth remembering.
A new midfielder might provide better protection, but the whole team still needs to understand when to press, when to recover and how to cover one another.
And I wouldn’t want Liverpool to spend a fortune on a player who doesn’t suit the system simply because supporters have been asking for a defensive midfielder.
Get the recruitment right, though, and this could be a signing that improves several positions at once.
January could be a defining moment
I don’t expect Liverpool to fix every weakness in one transfer window.
But if Iraola really does see the No. 6 position as his biggest tactical priority, I hope the club listens.
Liverpool have exciting attacking players. There is potential in the defence, too, with Jérémy Jacquet continuing to develop and Ronald Araújo offering versatility.
What I want to see now is a midfield that can bring those strengths together.
A team that can attack without leaving itself exposed.
A team that can press aggressively but still recover its shape when the press is beaten.
And a team that gives Wirtz, Szoboszlai and the forwards the freedom to influence games without constantly worrying about what happens behind them.
That’s why this report interests me, even if we need to treat it cautiously until there is stronger confirmation.
Liverpool might not need another superstar. They might need the right midfielder to make all the other stars work better together.
And if Iraola believes a new No. 6 is the missing piece, I can certainly understand his thinking.
Now let’s see whether Liverpool’s recruitment team agrees.
Jamie (The Kopite View)
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