Liverpool’s Midfield Masterclass: Can They Keep It Up All Season? | OneFootball

Liverpool’s Midfield Trio: Mastery or Overuse?

Liverpool’s 3-1 victory over AC Milan in the Champions League proved that Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister, and Ryan Gravenberch have firmly established themselves as Arne Slot’s go-to midfield three. On the surface, it’s an exciting and potent trio, filled with creativity, intelligence, and tenacity. However, beneath the brilliance lies a concern—how sustainable is it to continuously rely on these three players, given the limited rotation options?

Let’s take a deeper dive into the standout performances of Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, and Gravenberch, while also exploring the looming issues surrounding the other midfielders and the long-term implications for the squad.

Gravenberch: A Standout Performer

First and foremost, Ryan Gravenberch was absolutely sensational against AC Milan. The Dutchman made the most interceptions on the pitch, with six, showcasing his defensive awareness. Additionally, he recovered the ball seven times, further underlining his contribution to the team’s defensive efforts. With a 100% tackle success rate (1/1), Gravenberch was not only sturdy but efficient in his work.

Offensively, he wasn’t far behind either, achieving an 89% pass success rate, completing 34 out of 38 passes. It’s performances like this that make it clear why Gravenberch is fast becoming the engine of Liverpool’s midfield. He’s made the No. 6 role his own, but with great performances come heavy expectations. Will he be able to carry this burden throughout the season without burning out?

Mac Allister: The Creative Dynamo

Right beside Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister continues to show his brilliance. Against AC Milan, Mac Allister was instrumental in driving the team forward. He won the most tackles on the pitch, with a perfect 2/2 success rate. More than that, Mac Allister made the most passes into the final third (11), providing key transitions from defense to attack.

Photo: IMAGO

The Argentine midfielder also registered three key passes and completed three out of four long balls, proving that his distribution was spot on. His tactical versatility makes him invaluable, but similar to Gravenberch, how long can Liverpool afford to keep him on the pitch for 90 minutes in every game?

Szoboszlai: The Attacking Threat

Szoboszlai, on the other hand, added the finishing touches to the midfield’s dominating display. He managed three shots on target against AC Milan, the most he has achieved in any game since March. It’s worth noting that one of those shots found the back of the net—a bonus that Liverpool fans celebrated with glee.

Photo: IMAGO

Szoboszlai’s attacking presence has been vital for Liverpool this season, offering a goal-scoring threat from midfield. Yet, like his counterparts, the question remains: is he being overworked? Slot’s desire for more goals from him was met in this game, but it adds pressure for Szoboszlai to deliver every match.

Concerns About Overuse

As brilliant as this midfield trio has been, one can’t ignore the fact that they played the full 90 minutes against Milan, with very little rotation. Endo came on in injury time, while other midfielders were missing from the mix. Yes, Jones has only just returned from injury and Elliott is currently sidelined, but it’s alarming how little faith Slot seems to have in the rest of his midfield options.

Take Wataru Endo, for example. The Japanese international has only seen injury-time minutes and appears not to be fancied by the manager. Tyler Morton hasn’t made a single appearance this season, and the same can be said for other fringe midfielders. It’s a risky game to rely solely on Gravenberch, Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai for the majority of matches. As the season progresses and injuries or fatigue inevitably strike, who will Slot turn to?

Rotation Concerns and a Missed Transfer Opportunity

The upcoming fixtures, such as the Carabao Cup game against West Ham, will be telling. If we see heavy rotation in that game, it will indicate whether Slot trusts his other midfielders. However, starting the likes of Jones, Endo, and Morton only in cup games might imply that they are simply not seen as reliable options for the Premier League or Champions League.

This situation also puts into perspective the decision not to pursue a high-quality backup during the transfer window. While Liverpool did not go for a Zubimendi-like alternative, it’s becoming increasingly clear that such a decision might come back to haunt them if the main trio starts feeling the effects of overuse.

Bodies or Options?

While Liverpool’s midfield trio of Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, and Gravenberch have been nothing short of excellent, the worrying trend of over-reliance on them could lead to issues later in the season. The lack of rotation and limited options beyond these three creates a scenario where fatigue, injuries, or loss of form could derail the Reds’ campaign. Slot will need to rethink his rotation policy or risk facing the consequences as the fixtures pile up.