Defensive Midfield Void Threatens Liverpool’s Title Defence Hopes | OneFootball

Does Slot’s Open Midfield Need Baleba or Wharton

The Soft Centre Exposed

Liverpool’s opening-day win over Bournemouth provided drama, goals, and a glimpse of the attacking riches Arne Slot now has at his disposal. Hugo Ekitike’s debut strike, Cody Gakpo’s sharp finish, Federico Chiesa’s impact cameo, and Mohamed Salah’s clinical late goal all underlined the quality Liverpool can unleash. Yet the most important lesson of the night was not in the final scoreline but in how the champions allowed a 2-0 lead to slip away.

The Cherries repeatedly found joy on the counterattack, exposing a glaring weakness in Liverpool’s midfield shape. Without a specialist defensive midfielder screening the backline, transitions cut through far too easily. Bournemouth, hardly one of the division’s most ruthless sides, scored twice and looked capable of more. It is a scenario that has become all too familiar in recent seasons.

The Midfield Shield Conundrum

Since Fabinho’s departure, Liverpool have lacked a true ball-winning enforcer. Ryan Gravenberch, talented as he is, looks like an 8 forced into a 6, which is perhaps being banked on again this season. His athleticism and technical skill are evident, but the positional awareness and defensive instincts required to protect a backline are not his natural strengths. Wataru Endo, while honest and experienced, appeared slow and ineffective when introduced against Bournemouth, looking more like an option for closing games out than anchoring them from the start. When the pitch is wide spread and games state open, the Japan skipper simply does not posses the ability to react to an elite level, something which this side surely demands.

For all the brilliance of Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai, both thrive higher up the pitch. Florian Wirtz, a marquee signing this summer, adds another creative layer rather than defensive steel. Arne Slot can scheme and tweak structures, but without a genuine destroyer in the heart of midfield, Liverpool will remain vulnerable whenever opponents break quickly.

A Transfer Window Twist?

With Giorgi Mamardashvili, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, and Giovanni Leoni all arriving this summer, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have been bold in reshaping the squad, a required action to help create  new dynasty of success. The focus has been heavily on attacking invention and defensive depth, with further pursuits ongoing for Alexander Isak and Marc Guéhi. Yet the Bournemouth game may force a rethink, especially after Antoine Semenyo responded to disgusting racist comments from one individual by scoring a wonderful double.

Both Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba are currently linked with Manchester United, but Liverpool should be firmly in that conversation. The lack of a Fabinho replacement has lingered too long and risks undermining what could otherwise be a formidable season. Edwards has built a reputation for decisiveness in the market — this may be the moment to remind everyone why. A midfield shield is not a luxury; it’s a necessity if Liverpool want to defend their crown with authority rather than anxiety.

Sales are still expected, therefore, one final push to build the perfect squad is viable in this remarkable window of change.