Liverpool’s midfield has undergone another period of change since the summer of 2023, but three signings from that rebuild still provide an interesting debate.
Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch all arrived at Anfield with different qualities, different expectations and the potential to become important players for the club.
But if you were building Liverpool’s midfield around just one of them for the next few years, who would you choose?
For me, there is one clear answer: Alexis Mac Allister.
Alexis Mac Allister – the midfield controller
Mac Allister is the player I would build around because he offers something Liverpool desperately need: control.
The Argentine is comfortable receiving possession under pressure, has excellent awareness and can dictate the tempo of a game.
He can play deeper, operate as a No.8 or contribute further forward. His passing range allows him to move the ball through the lines, while his intelligence helps him find space and keep the team ticking.
He is also a World Cup winner who has experienced the highest level of football.
I don’t think Liverpool always get the best out of him when he is asked to do too much defensive work, particularly when the midfield around him lacks the right balance.
Give him a physically strong, defensively reliable midfielder alongside him and allow him to influence the game on the ball.
That is the platform I would build.
Dominik Szoboszlai – quality, energy and versatility
Szoboszlai has plenty going for him.
His work rate is outstanding, he covers huge amounts of ground and he has the ability to produce moments of real quality.
He can carry the ball, strike from distance, create chances and contribute defensively. His versatility is also valuable, although I believe his best position is as a box-to-box No.8.
However, I still have questions about the overall balance of Liverpool’s midfield when he is included.
He is a talented player, but I don’t believe the team should be built around accommodating individuals. It should be about finding the right combination of players who complement one another.
Szoboszlai has an important role to play, but I would rather see him competing for a place in a properly balanced midfield than automatically being one of the first names on the team sheet.
Ryan Gravenberch – enormous ability, but consistency matters
Gravenberch has the physical attributes and technical ability to become an outstanding midfielder.
His ability to glide past opponents, carry possession and drive Liverpool forward is impressive.
When he is playing confidently, he can make difficult situations look remarkably easy.
But I still want to see greater consistency, particularly without the ball.
Liverpool need midfielders who can win their individual battles, protect the defence and stop opponents playing through the middle. That is an area where I want to see improvement.
I wouldn’t dismiss Gravenberch’s potential, but I also wouldn’t build the entire midfield around him at this stage.
Why Mac Allister gets my vote
All three have qualities Liverpool should value, but Mac Allister gives the team a foundation.
He understands when to speed the game up, when to slow it down and how to find teammates in dangerous positions.
I have been saying for some time that Liverpool need a more defensively accomplished midfielder alongside their creative players. Someone with the physicality and defensive awareness to do the dirty work, allowing Mac Allister to concentrate on controlling possession and progressing attacks.
That is the midfield balance I want Andoni Iraola to build.
I would love to see Liverpool recruit a proper defensive midfielder and give Mac Allister the freedom to dictate games.
My verdict
Mac Allister is my pick, and I wouldn’t hesitate.
Szoboszlai has tremendous energy and Gravenberch has plenty of untapped potential, but if I had to choose one player to build Liverpool’s midfield around for the next few seasons, it would be the Argentine.
He has the football intelligence, technical quality and composure to be the heartbeat of this team.
Now Iraola needs to build the right midfield around him.
But who would you choose – Mac Allister, Szoboszlai or Gravenberch?
By Jamie
(The Kopite View)
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