Why has Liverpool gone so long without signing a midfielder?
The last midfielder to arrive at Anfield was Ryan Gravenberch, who joined on deadline day in the summer of 2023.
In that window, Liverpool also signed Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo, meaning Curtis Jones is the Reds’ only current midfielder prior to that summer.
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Since then, many midfielders have been linked with Merseyside moves, but none have arrived at Anfield.
This is no doubt partly due to the excellent performances of Liverpool’s current options in recent seasons, but Arne Slot’s midfield is still a man short at times.
An injury to Endo and a change in system has meant that there have been several games this season in which every single one of Liverpool’s in-form senior midfielders has started.
How much do Liverpool need another midfielder?
Although Endo is now back in the matchday squad, his recent injury revealed just how fragile the Reds are in the middle of the park.
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If two of Liverpool’s five senior midfielders were injured at the same time, Slot would be in a very difficult situation.
The coverage in the support function is especially thin and the evolution of Gravenberch has left Liverpool without a real option to anchor their midfield.
The position may get some attention next summer, but it should be a priority this January.
Liverpool’s campaign has already been disappointing and it looks like the Reds are a couple of midfield injuries away from complete collapse.
Richard Hughes will have a short list of midfielders and needs to bring one in sooner rather than later to get Slot’s team back on track.