Liverpool ignore GLARING transfer problem

Liverpool appear to be linked with a new attacking midfielder or winger by the day. With big changes expected in attack, there is no shortage of players being touted for an Anfield arrival.

We could see Federico Chiesa and Luis Diaz depart from the wings. Up front Diogo Jota and Darwin Nunez could leave if the right bids materialise.

READ MORE: Liverpool line up DREAM Darwin Nunez deal

The proceeds brought in for the sale of these attacking players are slated to be used to fund upgrades and Liverpool fans and media are now engaging in a bit of fantasy football.

READ MORE: Liverpool move one step closer to Milos Kerkez deal

First off, the list of potential striker replacements is a mile long. From Hugo Ekitike to Jonathan David, Liverpool have been associated with scores of star names to take the No9 shirt from Nunez.

And wingers too have been linked in abundance. We’ve heard about Bryan Mbeumo and Anthony Gordon. More are included on the list in the shape of Eberechi Eze and Rayan Cherki.

While some of these deals might qualify as “opportunistic”, attacking midfield and wing might not necessarily be the right area to upgrade first this summer and, effectively, to blow the budget.

Are Liverpool targetting the right players?

Diaz has scored 16 goals this season; Salah has got over 50 goal involvements. Cody Gakpo’s contributions have dipped of late - following injury - but is good enough to star on a regular basis.

Instead, it should be deeper in midfield where Richard Hughes and Arne Slot seek to add numbers.

Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai are nailed on to start practically every game when available.

Mac Allister has missed matches this season due to injury - with the travails of featuring on international duty telling at times.

Szoboszlai is a machine but is often asked to do the work of two men. Gravenberch, meanwhile, faded towards the end of the season. This has been the first campaign that Gravenberch has played such a crucial role for a top team and the strain is showing.

Curtis Jones is a good replacement in all three midfield positions - but Liverpool have now got a significant contract problem to solve with the homegrown title winner.

Slot clearly doesn’t trust Wataru Endo to start games - despite the flattering words about his attitude - and Tyler Morton sadly looks on the way out.

Selling Morton would leave Liverpool with only THREE senior, trusted midfielders, Jones as a utility man, and Endo to play out matches Liverpool have already won.

Reds promote Gravenberch

Liverpool explored the possibility of signing Martin Zubimendi last summer, coming close to enticing the Spain international from Real Sociedad. Those efforts failed, however, and Slot promoted Gravenberch instead.

Assuming the head coach would have used the Dutchman as a rotation option had Zubimendi been signed, that probably leaves the Reds short of at least one starting quality midfielder.

But reports of interest in natural No6s haven’t been as frequent ahead of the transfer window opening. Links to Angelo Stiller and Nicolo Rovella are well established but each of those probably has more in common with players like Mac Allister rather than Gravenberch.

“Gravenberch’s impact in the deeper No 6 role means that signing another holding midfielder is no longer a priority,” James Pearce wrote this week in the Athletic.

Instead, Slot will give an audition to the talented 20-year-old Stefan Bajcetic.

Liverpool should add a midfielder

Will it be enough? Are Liverpool repeating an error?

Next season is going to be tough. There is a Premier League to defend, a Champions League to go for, cups to be contested and players will be flying all over the world for international duty ahead of the World Cup.

Salah, Van Dijk and Gravenberch have started 34 of 34 league matches; that is a huge outlier and not likely to be repeatable next season. Liverpool could do with a high-quality No6 to relieve the burden on Gravenberch and even help to push him to new heights.

READ MORE: Liverpool’s choice is CLEAR in Hugo Ekitike vs Benjamin Sesko transfer dilemma

Let’s hope we don’t end up in a situation with Slot has six or so attackers to pick from - but is asking Gravenberch and Co. to go the distance every single time again next term.