Liverpool's midfield became a big headache for Arne Slot, whose successor will need to make some changes ahead of next season
Andoni Iraola did an excellent job at Bournemouth.
Midfield will be a priority position of concern for Andoni Iraola should he take change at Liverpool(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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Regardless of who takes the helm at Liverpool next season, there's no doubt the Reds' midfield will undergo a major restructure. All too often this season, under Arne Slot, Liverpool's engine room was bypassed and cut open with ease.
Its participants stood as onlookers, giving off fatigue or even a whiff of disinterest. The restructure will be ruthless and centre around ideas and new personnel, now that Slot has left his position.
His replacement looks to be Andoni Iraola. The 43-year-old Basque could deploy, as his Bournemouth history suggests, a 4-2-3-1. He enjoys aggression and high pressing off the ball and being very direct when in possession.
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First of all, Liverpool need to secure a deep-lying midfielder. It's simply a position they've failed to adequately deal with since Fabinho departed Anfield in July 2023.
Much of Jurgen Klopp's success was built upon the spindly yet strong legs of the Brazilian, who could snuff out danger before it transpired. While Ryan Gravenberch excelled under Slot in the 2024/2025 title-winning season in the No. 6 role, the Dutch star struggled this season and was often left exposed as the Reds' line-up remained largely unsettled.
There's been chatter over a move for Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, with the England international rumoured to cost in the region of £100m. Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni is even one name reportedly in the frame, but again, would demand a huge outlay in transfer fees and wages.
Alex Scott of Bournemouth
Alex Scott could follow Iraola from Bournemouth(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Iraola should put his faith in Alex Scott, his former player at Bournemouth. Scott would command a high fee, no doubt, and Bournemouth are said to want to keep hold of the midfielder for at least another year. But at 22, the agile and front-footed Scott would be an upgrade on Alexis Mac Allister, who has looked subpar for some time and could be dropped to fight for his place or even sold on.
A double pivot of Scott and Gravenberch could give Iraola's attacking outlets space and time to inflict maximum damage. Nevertheless, Liverpool would encounter competition from the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea, meaning they may have to make a move soon.
In the Reds' new-look midfield, Dominik Szoboszlai can finally put his days at right-back behind him and express himself in an advanced role ahead of Gravenberch and Scott. Liverpool's No. 8 is deadly from long range and has the athleticism to win the ball high up the pitch, two attributes that were perhaps forgotten about during his stint as Slot's utility man this season.
Florian Wirtz will also make a claim to become Liverpool's permanent No.10, with the freedom to drift out to the left flank. Last summer's £116m signing has shown glimpses of his undeniable talent, but too often he's looked uncomfortable and on the periphery of the action, even when stationed far out on the left.
Florian Wirtz during the Germany vs Finland friendly in Mainz.
Florian Wirtz has looked much better for Germany(Image: Alex Grimm/Getty Images)
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However, the 23-year-old starred for Germany against Finland in a World Cup warm-up on Sunday evening, scoring and pulling the strings from the left, with a licence to drift centrally, in a 4-2-3-1. It'll no doubt be music to Iraola's ears, as he will give the German free rein to thread balls in behind the likes of Alexander Isak and Hugo Ekitike.
There's been much talk of Curtis Jones leaving Liverpool this summer. The 25-year-old is one of the more underrated players in the Premier League when it comes to advancing with the ball and Iraola should see to it that the local lad in the team stays put, even if Jones does have to fight for a spot in his XI.
Keeping Jones will mean Wataru Endo will most likely depart. While the Japanese international returned to action for his country on Sunday after a long injury layoff, Endo's cult status at Anfield is probably not enough to justify a place in Iraola's midfield.
Replacing Endo could well mean bringing in another defensive-minded player. Monaco's Lamine Camara, 22, would be an ideal fit, exhibiting many of the qualities of former Monaco and Liverpool star Fabinho. Newcastle are in the running too, while his transfer fee could test the depth of the coffers at Anfield, although Camara would have to earn his spot to line up in a double pivot.
That leaves Harvey Elliott. The boyhood Liverpool fan shone under Klopp but was sent out on loan under Slot to Aston Villa, where he struggled for minutes. At home on the right and in the middle of the pitch, Elliott has 15 goals in 149 appearances for the Reds so far, and could offer unpredictability as a squad option for Liverpool's new boss.