There was a lot to like about Liverpool’s win over Sunderland, but issues in midfield have become more obvious.
As expected, much of the focus this season has been on the Reds’ defence issues and wide areas.
Mohamed Salah is struggling, Cody Gakpo has been a point of contention for much of the campaign, while FSG’s transfer failures in January have left Arne Slot with a depleted backline.
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Ibrahima Konate battles with Brian Brobbey during Liverpool's Premier League match against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light (Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Stu Forster
Joe Gomez may be fit to start against Brighton and Hove Albion, but risking the injury-prone defender so soon after his latest return is not an ideal situation to be in.
Is the lack of centre-back and right-back options an issue? Of course, but Liverpool’s midfield is also an area of concern that nobody is really talking about.
Liverpool’s midfield depth and quality is an issue
Purely looking from a personnel standpoint, Wataru Endo is now injured, leaving Curtis Jones as the only natural cover.
However, Jones is out of form right now, and since there was talk about a January exit, Slot hasn’t been starting him.
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The right-back depth woes have also had an impact in the middle of the pitch, with Endo and Jones having been needed to fill in at full-back.
In turn, should one of Alexis Mac Allister or Ryan Gravenberch suffer any sort of long-term injury, which really wouldn’t be surprising given Liverpool’s luck right now, their engine room will be completely depleted at a time when the Reds need to win every game to try and make it back into the Champions League places.
Aside from having so few options, Mac Allister’s form, in particular, has been mixed this term.
The Argentine was immense in the latest title-winning campaign, but his inconsistency is a worry.
There is a solution to this problem, though it would require Slot to do something he seems very much against.
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Liverpool's Wataru Endo pictured during the Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Crystal Pix/MB Media).
Javier Mascherano sits on the pitch during Liverpool's Premier League match against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge (Credit: GLYN KIRK/AFP
Credit: Photo Credit: Getty Images/Crystal Pix/MB Media/Glyn Kirk/AFP
Trey Nyoni needs more minutes
Slot has been slammed for not playing the Liverpool Academy stars enough this season.
In midfield, Trey Nyoni has hardly featured, but when he has, including in the 6-0 win over Qarabag, he’s looked very sharp.
His passing is excellent, and he reads the game very well for a player so young.
An FA Cup meeting with Brighton and Hove Albion is up next, and it would be the perfect time for Mac Allister to be rested and Nyoni given a chance.
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