The need for an elite-level defensive midfielder at Liverpool has been a topic of discussion among fans for quite some time. Many supporters believe that the club has overlooked this position, but that is not entirely true. In fact, Liverpool has made several attempts to address this issue in recent years, although they have not been successful.
One example of their pursuit of a defensive midfielder is their interest in Aurelien Tchouameni from Monaco. The club was impressed with his performances and was prepared to make a strong push to sign him in 2022. However, Tchouameni’s camp made it clear early on that he only had eyes for Real Madrid, leaving Liverpool disappointed. This setback was compounded by their mistaken assumption that they could wait until the following summer to address the anchor role. Unfortunately, Fabinho’s sudden decline proved this assumption wrong.
Liverpool’s efforts to find a solution to the defensive midfield problem continued, but they faced another setback. Last summer, they had their sights set on Moises Caicedo, who had received high praise for his quality and character from former Brighton teammate Adam Lallana. However, Liverpool’s lack of consistent contact with Caicedo’s camp in the months leading up to his departure from Brighton played a significant role in his decision to turn down a move to Anfield. He believed that Chelsea had shown more persistence in their pursuit of him.
This failure left Liverpool with limited options in the defensive midfield market. While some fans on social media suggested players like Florentino Luis or Ibrahim Sangare as potential solutions, the Reds’ judgment proved to be accurate as both players had underwhelming seasons.
Instead, Liverpool settled for Wataru Endo as a short-term solution. The Japanese midfielder performed well and contributed to the team’s success, but he is not the world-class holding midfielder that many desire. Additionally, Liverpool’s midfield has become crowded with players who are better suited to the No. 8 role rather than specialist holders. This imbalance has created a numbers issue, with players like Thiago and Stefan Bajcetic barely making an impact in the team.
The departure of one of these players has not fully solved the problem, and the squad remains heavy on No. 8s. This issue will be further exacerbated if new coach Arne Slot continues to favor a 4-2-3-1 formation.
The uncertainty surrounding the squad and Slot’s preferences makes it difficult to predict what will happen in terms of holding midfield. However, it is clear that Liverpool is still monitoring the market for potential signings. Players like Alan Varela from Porto and Ederson from Atalanta have been linked with the club. With Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes set to officially start their roles on June 1, it remains to be seen if these admirations will turn into concrete moves for a No. 6.
Regardless of the outcome, Liverpool’s search for a true Fabinho replacement is poised to be one of the most intriguing stories of their summer, continuing a trend that has persisted for the past two years.