Liverpool must replace two of England’s best players last season. It’s time to make a change.
Liverpool have struggled this season and things need to change quickly. The Reds have done well when they really should have punished teams – and that was on good days.
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Bad days, like Tuesday night’s game against Wolves, where Liverpool struggled all game and then dropped points. This is a common theme this season, and an incredibly concerning one.
Of course, there are issues everywhere on the pitch, but a lack of control is probably the main problem at the moment. Liverpool were vulnerable on the counter-attack, struggling to push the defense back and finding opportunities to break down low.
Which brings us to the midfield.
Liverpool Midfield: Situation Summary
Current tactical setup
As of March 4, 2026, Liverpool’s midfield remains the engine room of Arne Slott’s tactical approach, albeit currently undergoing a period of forced rotation. The main starting trio consists of Dominic Szoboszlai, Alexis Mike Allister and Ryan Gravenberch. While this team has provided a high level of skill and ball control throughout the season, the recent 2-1 loss to Wolves on March 3 highlighted the physical toll an intensive schedule can take on the body, as the team struggled to maintain consistent defensive intensity in the second half.
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Injuries and depth challenges
The team is currently going through a major availability crisis, with nearly all of its veteran defensive cover stripped away. Wataru Endo has surgery on a broken ankle and will be out until at least May, while Stefan Bajcetic is out long-term with a hamstring problem. Additionally, summer signing Florian Wirtz is ruled out with a back injury and his return is targeted for next week’s Champions League match against Galatasaray. That leaves Curtis Jones as the only senior rotation option available to support the starting three, which puts tremendous pressure on the core starters to avoid further fatigue-related injuries.
Contract strategy and future planning
Sporting director Richard Hughes is reportedly prioritizing contract stability for the team heading into the summer. Gravenberch’s contract runs until 2032. Dominik Szoboszlai is under contract until June 2028, but the club are expected to offer better terms to reflect his “world-class” development this season and head off interest from major European rivals. The case of Alexis Mac Allister is also being closely watched. Despite his commitment to the long-term, reports suggest Liverpool may take the initiative to extend his contract this summer in a bid to cement his status as a cornerstone of the post-reform era.
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It’s time for change
It was clear that Liverpool’s midfield partnership of Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis McAllister wasn’t making an impact. That’s not a comment on them as individual players, but this partnership simply doesn’t suit the Reds’ needs.
What a blow. Both players were named in the PFA Team of the Year last season and deservedly so. It feels like what they offer has already been figured out by other teams.
One of Mike Allister’s biggest influences comes from the base of midfield. He was better in the opposition penalty area, while Glavenberg was poor at setting up play from the back.
The Dutchman doesn’t seem to have the ability to be a deeper midfielder. He made only one defensive contribution in 45 minutes against Wolves and completed only 26 passes.
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His replacement, Curtis Jones, contributed 7 defensive contributions and 30 passes in this game, but his performance was not particularly outstanding. But Gravenberg needs some kind of change, both in his own position and in who helps him as a partner.
So it’s time to make a change. Liverpool must try something new – whether that’s using a different combination at the base of midfield or completely abandoning the idea of a flat midfield duo. A return to the sole holding midfield role might be just what they need as they try to take back control of the game.
There are still a few months left in the season and making some changes is crucial. Midfield is probably the area with the biggest impact – so let’s look at what Arne Slaughter has done.
