Action Images via Reuters/Lee Smith
Eyebrows were raised over the summer at the decision not to strengthen in central midfield at Liverpool, with longstanding issues rearing their head again already this season.
While much of the focus last term was centred around the lack of options at centre-back, the configuration of the midfield remained a pertinent problem for Arne Slot, as it is now for Andoni Iraola.
Be it Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister or Ryan Gravenberch, the Reds just haven't found a settled pairing in the early weeks of 2026/27, having arguably enjoyed more control with the likes of Trey Nyoni and James McConnell in the mix in midweek.
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch
The woes of Gravenberch, in particular, pose a real headache for Iraola to solve, with the Dutchman in danger of finding himself out of the frame heading into 2027.
Why Liverpool need to sign a Gravenberch replacement in 2027
It's easy to forget that Gravenberch was the revelation of 2024/25, the real driving force behind Liverpool's title charge after being fashioned into a number six by then-boss Slot.
Gravenberch-Liverpool
That shift to a more defensive-minded role has proven a little short-lived, however, with it evident that the 24-year-old is more inclined to get forward and progress play, rather than necessarily attempting to protect the back four.
Indeed, that was no more evident than in the win over Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday night, with the hosts losing all sense of control once Szoboszlai and Gravenberch entered the fray in place of Nyoni and McConnell.
The Netherlands star notably turned into trouble just inside the Spurs half at one stage, while also overrunning the ball in the build-up to a chance for Omar Marmoush on the counter, the Egyptian thankfully snuffed out by £60m sensation, Jeremy Jacquet.
A starter in just two of Liverpool's four Premier League games this season, there's still that nagging issue of how best to utilise Gravenberch in the centre of the park, the former Bayern Munich man evidently not a ball-winning midfield machine.
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That can be seen in the fact that he's averaged 1.8 tackles and interceptions per game in 2026/27 thus far, while making only 2.5 ball recoveries. In an attacking sense, he's registered one assist, yet has averaged just 0.8 key passes and hasn't registered a single successful dribble.
Caught between a rock and a hard place right now, Gravenberch's long-term future on Merseyside might be under threat, particularly with new additions on the agenda.
How Liverpool can upgrade on Gravenberch in 2027
Considering the summer window finished mere weeks ago, it does feel a little futile to already be discussing plans for 2027, with the new season still in its infancy.
Liverpool manager Androni Iraola poses for a photograph before the press conference
Liverpool manager Androni Iraola poses for a photograph before the press conference
And yet, with there still so many holes in Iraola's squad, the Liverpool hierarchy would be wise to be thinking ahead to the new year, with midfield still the clear priority right now.
The Reds still haven't signed a senior midfielder since going big on their four arrivals back in 2023, a summer that saw a real exodus at Anfield amid the departures of the likes of Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and James Milner.
Gravenberch-Klopp-Liverpool
Well, a long overdue addition could be on the cards before too long if reports are to be believed, with Football Insider reporting that talks remain ongoing regarding a deal for Monaco's Lamine Camara.
It is said that the Merseysiders are working on a deal for the 22-year-old, with Camara set to be available in January after seeing a last-gasp move to Chelsea collapse.
Reports at the time suggested that Liverpool had made a call of their own on deadline to register their interest in the Senegal international, with it set to be no surprise if a fresh, concrete approach is made over the coming months.
While not necessarily a household name, Camara has come to prominence of late amid his fine form back in France, notably hailed only recently by manager Filipe Luis as "one of the best midfielders in the world".
REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
That lofty praise isn't without merit, with the Monaco man having been immense in the early weeks of this season, in stark contrast to Gravenberch.
Across his four Ligue 1 starts, the former Metz machine has comfortably outstripped his Liverpool counterpart defensively, averaging a staggering 7.5 tackles and interceptions per game, alongside 9.3 ball recoveries.
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Camara vs Gravenberch - 26/27 Stats
Camara
4 (4)
1
0
0.8
94%
1.3
6.0
1.5
9.3
9.8
10.3
He's a true ball-winning monster, it must be said, having won 10.3 total duels on average and 9.8 ground duels, with Gravenberch, meanwhile, averaging just 2.8 and two for those same two metrics, respectively.
In possession, Camara is no slouch either, mirroring the Dutchman with a tally of one assist and 0.8 key passes per game, albeit while again comfortably clear with regard to pass accuracy rate (94% vs 89%) and successful dribbles completed per game (1.3 vs 0.0).
REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
Ligue 1 is a different kettle of fish to the Premier League, of course, but the level of his performance his hard not to be impressed by, with it looking as if Camara would offer everything Liverpool are crying out for.
Szoboszlai-Robertson-Liverpool