Steven Gerrard has said what plenty of Liverpool fans have been thinking for some time – the Reds still need a proper defensive midfielder.
Despite the money spent on strengthening the squad, the former Liverpool captain believes there is still a significant weakness in the middle of the team. And he has used two familiar names to explain exactly what he thinks is missing: Fabinho and Didi Hamann.
Speaking on The Overlap Daily, Gerrard admitted that current boss Andoni Iraola might disagree with his assessment, but he is convinced Liverpool would benefit from having a powerful midfielder whose first responsibility is to protect the defence.
“Liverpool miss a real strong powerhouse in the middle of the team,” Gerrard said.
He added that Liverpool need someone who can stop opponents playing through the middle and put out fires when possession is lost.
It is an interesting argument, and one I think deserves serious consideration.
Liverpool Still Haven’t Replaced Fabinho
Fabinho was a crucial part of Liverpool’s success under Jürgen Klopp. He gave the team a physical presence, broke up opposition attacks and allowed the more creative players around him to concentrate on hurting teams going forward.
He was not always spectacular, but his importance became obvious whenever Liverpool struggled to control the middle of the pitch.
That is the type of player Gerrard believes the current team is missing.
Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch have plenty of quality, while Dominik Szoboszlai brings energy and the ability to drive the team forward. But being a good midfielder does not automatically make someone a natural defensive specialist.
Gerrard specifically questioned whether Mac Allister is suited to that particular role at the highest level.
His point is not that Liverpool lack talented midfielders. It is whether the players currently available offer the right balance between attacking ambition and defensive security.
And that is a fair question.
Iraola Has Improved Liverpool – But Is the Midfield Balanced Enough?
I have been encouraged by what Iraola is trying to build at Anfield. Liverpool are a work in progress, and the recent 2-0 victory over Brighton showed the value of a more solid defensive performance.
However, one clean sheet does not mean every problem has disappeared.
Liverpool can still make life difficult for themselves when they lose possession, particularly if too many players are caught ahead of the ball. When that happens, the midfield needs somebody who can read the danger, win a tackle and give the defence time to recover.
That is where a specialist defensive midfielder could make a real difference.
Gerrard explained that having a player who thinks about the defensive side of the game would allow Liverpool’s more attack-minded midfielders to push forward with greater confidence.
It is not necessarily about changing the entire way Iraola wants his team to play. It is about giving that system the right foundations.
Of course, Iraola may believe his current midfield options can provide the balance he wants. He deserves time to develop his ideas, and recruitment has to fit his footballing philosophy.
But the question remains: would Liverpool be a better team with a genuine number six?
Liverpool Need More Than Another Big-Name Signing
Liverpool have invested heavily in attacking talent, with players such as Florian Wirtz, Alexander Isak and Bradley Barcola bringing quality and excitement to the squad.
Nobody is questioning the need for that kind of talent.
But building a successful team is about more than collecting the best attacking players available. You need the right characters and profiles in every area of the pitch.
A natural defensive midfielder might not grab the headlines in the same way as a big-money forward, but that does not make the role any less important.
Look at the type of player Gerrard is describing. Someone strong in the tackle, positionally intelligent, comfortable under pressure and disciplined enough to recognise when the team needs protection rather than another player charging forward.
That player could give Gravenberch, Mac Allister and Szoboszlai more freedom to influence matches higher up the pitch.
It could also help Liverpool manage games more effectively when they are leading, rather than allowing opponents back into matches through avoidable mistakes.
Should Liverpool Sign a New Number Six?
For me, this is a debate Liverpool should not ignore.
Iraola has shown encouraging signs, and I am not suggesting that one new signing would suddenly solve every issue. The team still needs time to develop its understanding and become more consistent.
But Gerrard knows what a winning Liverpool midfield needs. He played alongside players who understood that sometimes the most important job is stopping the opposition from playing.
Fabinho provided that protection during some of Liverpool’s finest years under Klopp. Hamann did the same in a different era.
Liverpool do not need to find an exact replica of either player, but finding someone with those defensive qualities could make a huge difference.
The challenge will be identifying the right player, rather than signing somebody simply because he is labelled a defensive midfielder.
My verdict? Gerrard has a point. Liverpool have plenty of attacking quality, but a powerful, disciplined number six could be the missing piece that brings everything together.
I want to see Iraola succeed, and I believe the team can continue improving under him. But if Liverpool want to become a side capable of controlling the biggest matches consistently, they need to make sure the middle of the pitch is as strong defensively as it is creatively.
The question is whether Iraola agrees with his former captain – and whether Liverpool are prepared to act on it.
Jamie – (The Kopite View)
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