LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 11, 2025: Former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher, working for Sky Sports, before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, May 11, 2025: Former Liverpool player Jamie Carragher, working for Sky Sports, before the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC at Anfield. The game ended in a 2-2 draw. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool’s midfield is a “huge problem” they still haven’t addressed, calling in particular for a new signing in the No. 6 role.
So far this summer Liverpool have brought in two new defenders in Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo, along with new winger Victor Munoz, while Kostas Tsimikas and Harvey Elliott have returned from loan.
The priority in what remains of the window is to add new wingers, with a new midfielder widely reported not to be of urgency.
Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson – before his move to Man City – were linked earlier in the year, but a new No. 6 has not been on the agenda despite the lack of a specialist.
And for Carragher, that is a concern: “The midfield issue for me is still a huge problem for Liverpool,” he said on The Overlap.
Ryan Gravenberch was entrusted with the No. 6 position in the title-winning campaign before struggling under new instructions last season, with too much space left to exploit.
With the Dutchman and Dominik Szoboszlai due to take on the double-pivot responsibilities, Carragher is concerned the same issues will persist without a suitable signing.
Liverpool do not have an out-and-out No. 6
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch is challenged by Monaco's Mathys Detourbet (L) during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch is challenged by Monaco's Mathys Detourbet (L) during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“The problem Liverpool had last season was there was space everywhere in Liverpool’s midfield,” Carragher started. “That has not gone away at all.
“That’s only going to get bigger with the deployment of Szoboszlai in midfield – it looks like they’re going to play him, rather than as a No. 10, almost as a central midfield player alongside Gravenberch, and that is just pure box-to-box.
“I look at that midfield three and I worry about Liverpool.”
While the quality is there for Liverpool, the specific skill set is not, with Carragher adding: “When you name six or seven of Liverpool’s players, you can’t say they’re not top players.
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates with team-mate Trey Nyoni (L) after scoring the second and equalising goal during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NASHVILLE, USA - Saturday, July 25, 2026: Liverpool's Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates with team-mate Trey Nyoni (L) after scoring the second and equalising goal during a friendly match between Liverpool FC and AFC Sunderland at the Nashville SC Stadium. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“You can’t say Gravenberch is not a really good player, or Wirtz, or Szoboszlai.
“But as a midfield three, I look at that and think, oh no – there’s almost too much quality, but they all want to go and play and run.
“And even in pre-season, the space is coming through the middle.”
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Carragher also questioned Alexis Mac Allister‘s position and the options Andoni Iraola would be left with should injury strike, which every club has to factor in.
“What’s the point of Mac Allister if he’s not your passer? Because he’s not running everywhere – he’s supposed to sit in midfield and dictate the play,” Carragher continued.
“But number two, Gravenberch isn’t what you’d call a complete midfielder…he’s not a Caicedo – he’s probably got a slightly different game. He’s not just an out-and-out No. 6.
“We need to buy that type of player, not just to play every week, but what if Gravenberch gets injured?
“You’re telling me that Liverpool’s central midfield will only be Mac Allister and Szoboszlai!?”
The Big Debate
Do you agree with Jamie Carragher?
With Ryan Gravenberch not a specialist No. 6 and heavily relied on in the role for the last two seasons, will Liverpool regret not making it a priority in the transfer window?
Join the conversation: Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
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