Liverpool have quality in midfield. The concern raised by Dr Phil Barts, speaking to Dave Davis on the Transfer Market Metrics special for Anfield Index, is whether those qualities combine into a midfield capable of providing Liverpool with the balance required across a season.
The discussion centred on Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz, with Wirtz operating as the 10 and Gravenberch and Szoboszlai forming the double pivot against Monaco. Davis acknowledged the strengths while warning that “only a fool would just bypass all concerns or say there’s no worry around defensive situations”.
Liverpool Midfield Numbers Expose Defensive ConcernsBarts compared Liverpool’s midfield numbers with Arsenal and Manchester City, and the defensive picture concerned him.
Looking at recoveries, interceptions and tackles, he explained: “They’re either covered by nobody or one player.”
On tackling specifically, Barts said Liverpool’s midfielders were in “a percentile that you would expect to be higher for those playing center mid for an elite football team.”
There is also an issue with how Liverpool progress possession. Barts noted that Gravenberch and Szoboszlai are “more comfortable carrying the ball than passing it” progressively.
His conclusion was clear: “So that’s a problem off the ball.”
Arsenal provided a telling comparison. Barts explained that for “the really important stuff. Arsenal have it covered by two players.” Manchester City also had Rodri ranking higher for tackles and interceptions than Liverpool’s three midfielders.
Barts Calls for Different Liverpool ProfileBarts summarised his Liverpool midfield concerns emphatically.
“We only have one player who’s performing anywhere near a top level and we have certain areas which we haven’t got anybody doing it doing the work enough.”
He added: “I think there are some problem areas with our guys off the ball.”
Most significantly, Barts told Davis: “I think there’s a definite need for a profile player to complete that.”
That assessment goes to the heart of the discussion. Liverpool possess players capable of carrying possession, creating chances and influencing attacks. Transfer Market Metrics questioned whether the defensive work and positional qualities complement those strengths.
Gravenberch Number Six Role QuestionedGravenberch became a particular focus.
Barts’ assessment was direct: “Grav is an eight. I’m not going to knock him for being an eight.”
He described Gravenberch as “an attacking midfielder who slot wanted to turn into a six”, adding that he “did an okay job”. His concern centred on Gravenberch’s instinct to protect the defence, saying “he’s not sitting behind the ball” and identifying his tendency to make recoveries and interceptions “in really bad areas for a six”.
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Szoboszlai alongside him creates another concern. Barts said: “don’t think he’s necessarily got the positional discipline to play in a double pivot at the moment.”
He continued: “I’d be a bit worried about that for going into the season because that’s not a recipe for winning titles or winning a lot of football matches.”
Midfield Balance Could Limit WirtzThere was no questioning the individual ability available. Barts called the trio “incredibly talented footballers all three of them.”
His concern was how they function collectively: “that midfield for me is is unbalanced.”
Barts added: “off the ball, which is the other half of the game that is absolutely vital, I just don’t think we we’re covering enough of the the bases.”
He was equally unconvinced by Gravenberch and Szoboszlai across an entire campaign: “I’m not sure they have the discipline to do that for for the season if I’m being honest with you.”
Photo IMAGO
There is a creative consequence too. Barts highlighted the absence of a player in the double pivot who can consistently “pass the football from second line into third or fourth line of the team.”
That potentially affects Wirtz. As Barts stressed: “you’ve got to get him the football.” He followed that with another simple warning: “You’ve got to get the ball into the areas where Flo can work his magic.”
Liverpool’s midfield concerns, therefore, are about balance, discipline, progression and protection. The talent is evident. Transfer Market Metrics raised a more fundamental question, whether Liverpool have the right combination to make that talent function.
Source: Anfield Index
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