I can take a scrappy performance now and again, especially in the Premier League where every away day has its own little traps. What’s harder to take is the feeling we’re watching the same problem repeat itself: Liverpool’s midfield just isn’t setting the tone often enough.
Against Fulham, the glaring thing for me was the lack of quality and authority in the middle. When the game needed someone to settle it, move it quickly, and then win it back, we didn’t really look like we had that player. And that’s been a theme for a while, not something that came out of nowhere.
Quality on the ball, but not enough bite
Szoboszlai had one of those days where nothing quite landed. Corners not beating the first man is the kind of small detail that drives you mad because it’s such a simple way to surrender momentum. You don’t need perfection every time, but you do need to at least ask a question.
Gravenberch, for me, is still getting an easy ride. There’s talent there, you can see the gliding runs and the athletic shape, but it’s the end product and the influence that feels light. If you’re playing in that area for Liverpool, you’ve got to demand the ball and then do something with it.
Mac Allister is the one who looks like he’s got genuine quality in possession, the one who can keep it ticking and play through pressure. The problem is, that doesn’t automatically make the midfield balanced. If you’re not winning enough duels, not tackling, not stopping transitions before they become proper breaks, then all the neat passing in the world can feel like it’s happening in the wrong part of the match.
What this midfield still needs
The missing piece feels pretty straightforward: a proper ball-winner who can also move it forward quickly. Not just someone who runs around pointing. Someone who can step in, win it, and then find the first progressive pass to get us going again.
And as much as I like Curtis Jones, I’m not convinced he’s that specific profile either. He can help you control spells, but control without punch can turn into control without points.
Second-half lift, and a right-sided decision
To be fair, the second half was better. We looked more like ourselves, the tempo improved, and it felt like we should have found the winner. That’s the maddening bit. The better version of us still showed up, just not consistently enough.
I thought Gakpo did alright as well. Not fireworks, but functional, involved, and willing to link play. And on the right, I’d be starting Frimpong every game while Salah isn’t here. That side needs thrust and directness, and it’s hard to ignore what he offers.
The truth is, I’m not sure a new manager automatically squeezes loads more out of these same midfielders. Liverpool have been winning tight games on moments for a while, often because the forwards produced something special. That’s great when it’s there. But it’s not a plan you want to lean on every week.
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