Liverpool's midfield this season has been reminiscent of yesteryear under Jurgen Klopp.
The engine room which protects the defence and supports the attack has been firing on all cylinders.
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Using a combination of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Curtis Jones and Dominik Szoboszlai, Arne Slot has returned Liverpool's midfield to its former glory.
Reminiscent of the days of Fabinho, Gini Wijnaldum and Jordan Henderson, Liverpool have been able to dominate opponents this season, just as they did under Klopp.
The defence is excelling, conceding just 15 goals in 21 games and the attack is free-flowing, scoring 49 goals in that time too.
The pressure on Ryan Gravenberch
After Liverpool were once again unsuccessful in the bid to add a defensive midfielder to the squad this season, Arne Slot decided that Gravenberch's profile could be perfect for the team's gaping hole in midfield.
And ever since that decision was made, the team hasn't looked back.
Gravenberch has played in all 19 of Liverpool's Champions League and Premier League outings, barely putting a foot wrong.
However, while the Dutchman has so far been able to keep his fitness up in order to play such an important role in the team, there is now a recognised feeling that the Reds may be relying upon him too much.
Last season, it was Wataru Endo and Mac Allister that occupied the No6 role, however, Endo is not favoured by Slot and Mac Allister has been tasked with a different focus in this campaign.
This means that while Tyler Morton is available should Slot wish to give the youth some minutes, Gravenberch is the only real defensive midfielder the club trusts.
Speaking in his press conference ahead of Liverpool's now-postponed clash against Everton this weekend, Slot said: “Every single game it was almost impossible for me to take [Gravenberch] off because he played so well.
"I was like, ‘If I take him off now, what’s going to happen to the team?'".
As such, an understudy to Gravenberch, or someone who can compete for his place, may well be the club's next transfer objective.
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Second time lucky with Zubimendi?
Before Liverpool decided that Gravenberch would be charged with playing defensive midfield this season, the club had their eyes on Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi.
The Spaniard playing in the Basque region was highlighted as a potential long-term successor to Fabinho and while an agreement was reached with Sociedad, Zubimendi could not be convinced of a move.
However, in return for his loyalty to his boyhood club, he was promised a new contract which is yet to be agreed.
He is currently contracted until 2027, but after Sociedad started the season poorly - currently sitting in 9th place in La Liga - Liverpool may ramp up their efforts in the hope of convincing him of a move to Merseyside this time around.
The two player's profiles are similar in that neither is a traditional defensive midfielder like Rodri. Instead, they are able to glide across the pitch in more of a hybrid role.
If the club were to be successful, then the pressure and reliance on Gravenberch would dissipate and Liverpool would have a much broader depth of personnel in midfield.
Currently, it looks as though the team is working on borrowed time before the Dutchman is eventually sidelined with an injury as a result of his substantial workload.
Should Liverpool wish to alleviate that, the club may have to swallow their pride and try again to convince Zubimendi or another player of a move.
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