Liverpool are set to finally replace Fabinho, but it is not the end of Ryan Gravenberch at Anfield.
While speaking in depth on his YouTube channel, top football journalist Romain Molina said that Liverpool are seriously investigating signing a defensive midfielder in the summer transfer window.
Molina said: “There’s the idea of strengthening the defence and certain key positions, defensive midfield and defence in particular, where they’ve already started targeting and working.
“Internally they feel they’ve relied too much on the same players in certain positions and need more variety. They also want to rethink the wings a little bit and add a bit more punch and depth. This has been discussed a bit in meetings, so you have scouts looking at that.”
Liverpool will finally replace Fabinho while simultaneously unlocking Gravenberch
There is no doubt that Gravenberch is a top player, and he certainly deserves his big-money contract extension, but the Dutchman is simply wasted at the base of Liverpool’s midfield.
Also says changes are expected both on and off the pitch. They are looking to bring in a centre back, a holding midfielder and a couple of wingers to strengthen the squad.
— Anfield Sector (@AnfieldSector) April 5, 2026
He has the height and frame needed in a No.6, but it is not his natural game to disrupt play. Liverpool need a destroyer in front of their back four (or five under Xabi Alonso?) in the mould of Fabinho and before him Javier Mascherano.
In the Premier League, where almost every player is capable of running past their marker, you need someone capable of sniffing out the danger with the physical tools to snuff it out.
Gravenberch, for all his talent on the ball, is not a natural No.6 even if he did an incredible job in the role last season. In many ways, he has been ‘found out’ this season, with his preference to turn and run targeted by opposition teams.
Liverpool also planning to sign young players for the future
In addition to revealing that Liverpool will finally sign a No.6 to make the team more robust after a season of a very porous midfield, Molina also reports that Liverpool will sign young players with huge upside potential.
“Liverpool’s idea was also to rebuild their youth system and bring in guys aged 16, 17, 18, 19, 20,” he said.
“Except post-Brexit you can’t really bring in a minor [from abroad] anymore. But the idea is to bring in some guys aged 18 to 20 to provide cover.
“Players like Leoni, to mature in the new squad and gain more established roles.”