Liverpool’s midfield underwent a significant rebuild during the 2023/24 season, resulting in an impressive array of options for manager Arne Slot. However, there is still a missing piece needed to complete the puzzle. Last season, Jurgen Klopp had only six consistent midfield options at his disposal due to persistent injuries suffered by Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic.
The average age of Liverpool’s midfielders last season was 23.1 years, a noticeable decrease from the previous season’s average age of 27.2 years. This shift reflects Klopp’s intention to rejuvenate and revitalize the midfield. As a result, Slot has inherited a group of midfielders in their prime or approaching it, including Wataru Endo (31), Alexis Mac Allister (25), Dominik Szoboszlai (23), Curtis Jones (23), Ryan Gravenberch (22), and Harvey Elliott (21).
Compared to last season, Klopp had only three midfielders in the prime age bracket of 22 to 28. In contrast, Slot now has four such players at his disposal, with a strong argument that Elliott deserves to be included as well. Additionally, the club has promising young talents like Stefan Bajcetic (19), Bobby Clark (19), James McConnell (19), and Tyler Morton (21), providing further options for the future.
Liverpool’s midfield underwent a significant transformation last summer, evolving from a dysfunctional and aging unit to a dynamic and energetic one. Slot’s task now is to build on this progress. The missing piece in their midfield puzzle is a player who can bridge the gap between the older and younger players in their prime. While investing in a player closer in age to Gravenberch than Endo would not be a mistake, there is an opportunity to acquire an experienced player in their prime.
The ideal addition to Liverpool’s midfield would be a defensive midfielder who can complement the skills of their current No. 3 and ensure Mac Allister can continue to thrive as a No. 8. The presence of future prime-age midfielders like Clark and McConnell gives the club confidence in taking this approach, knowing that a new generation is already waiting in the wings.
Speculation has surrounded Atalanta’s Ederson as a potential option for Liverpool this summer. At 25 years old and with over 200 games under his belt, he fits the profile of an experienced player in their prime who could bolster the midfield. This presents an interesting question for Liverpool’s new transfer hierarchy, led by Richard Hughes and Michael Edwards, as they continue to evolve the midfield group.
While significant progress was made last summer, Liverpool cannot afford to rest on their laurels. They must remain proactive in increasing competition within the team and ensuring a high level of quality. By addressing the missing piece in their midfield puzzle, Liverpool can further strengthen their title-winning ambitions and continue their pursuit of success.