Jamie Carragher was unimpressed by Liverpool's midfield against Newcastle, with both goals conceded by Andoni Iraola's side in a very similar manner at St James' Park
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.
Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher.(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)
Jamie Carragher was left unimpressed by Ryan Gravenberch during Liverpool's 2-2 draw with Newcastle on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.
Andoni Iraola used the Dutchman in a midfield two alongside Dominik Szoboszlai, with Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak in front. That set-up, however, allowed Newcastle to score twice in similar ways at St James' Park, with too much space to exploit in the center.
"I feel a bit for Gravenberch here because you have to go for (the loose ball) and you have to take the shot," Carragher said on Sky Sports Monday Night Football during his analysis.
"But in that position, trying a backheel when you know if you lose the ball, you're going to have a big problem on the counter-attack... I couldn't imagine Roy Keane doing that.
"It gets turned over... can Szoboszlai come across earlier? The two attacking players in the midfield (Szoboszlai and Wirtz) haven't got a tackle between them.
"And I'm so disappointed with Gravenberch. He is the holding midfielder. It's a two-vs-one, and you don't need three-vs-one, so just stay with Joe Willock.
NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - AUGUST 23: Ryan Gravenberch of Liverpool looks dejected after Anthony Elanga of Newcastle United (not pictured) scores his team’s first goal during the Premier League 2026/27 match between Newcastle United and Liverpool FC at St James' Park on August 23, 2026 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Liverpool's midfield was overrun by Newcastle (Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
"He allows Willock to run off him and from Newcastle's point of view, what Willock does is sensational. The touch and the finish."
In his post-match press conference, Iraola insisted that his midfield didn't have issues, even though in the second half, he swapped out Wirtz for Alexis Mac Allister to make things more solid.
"I think it's just not personnel," Iraola insisted. "I understand, you are telling me basically that Ryan Gravenberch is the six and he is on the edge of the box, but if he shoots and he scores we are saying what a play from Ryan Gravenberch.
"I also don't want to take this from his game, but we have to adapt as a team to these situations and we have to know that these situations can happen.
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"I think the second goal probably we did better in terms of having the numbers to defend, we don't make the foul, go to the first challenge, probably reduce the distance with the ball carrier, so it's an incredible goal.
"Situations [are] just not because one person is playing there, [it] is something that we have to correct between a lot of players."
Liverpool.com says: The Reds need to get the balance right sooner rather than later, but don't appear to have any interest in signing a conventional defensive midfielder.
If that is the case, the press needs to be more refined and the decision-making much sharper, otherwise there are going to be familiar issues that cropped up time and time again last season.