Your morning Liverpool headlines on Saturday, January 14.
Roberto De Zerbi has highlighted a big 'problem' for Liverpool before Brighton
Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi believes Liverpool find themselves in a 'difficult' position due to making a limited number of changes to the squad over a number of years.
Often accused for their lack of action in the transfer market, many supporters believe Liverpool are now paying the price for a lack of investment - particularly in central midfield. Jurgen Klopp shut down a question relating to potential incomings at today's press conference, insisting he does not anticipate further arrivals before the end of the month.
Arthur Melo, a deadline day loan acquisition, and Fabio Carvalho were the two midfielders signed in the summer by the Reds, who have been outran and outfought in this area of the pitch in a number of games this season.
Liverpool certainly appear a side in need of a squad refresh, with a number of first-team members now on the wrong side of 30, and could learn a lesson or two from tomorrow's opponents Brighton. The Seagulls have been masters of the transfer market in recent times and have two players in Alexis Mac Allister and Moises Caicedo, who would undoubtedly improve Klopp's midfield department.
Offering his view on the Reds' struggles this term, De Zerbi said: "After a lot of years, with the same group, it is difficult. One part of the season can be very difficult, but Liverpool is always a big team with big players and one of the best coaches in Europe. We have to respect them but, in the same way, we have to try and win the game if we want to change our target to make one step more."
To read the full story, click here.
Xabi Alonso exposes where Liverpool midfield is going wrong by breaking his 'golden rule'
Liverpool’s performance level in 2022/23 is lower than it was last season, that’s clear for all to see. Having got 92 points in the previous campaign, perhaps it was inevitable. There have only been three instances of a Premier League club getting at least 90 in successive seasons. It’s incredibly difficult to achieve.
Pre-determined to some extent it may have been but the Reds have not done themselves many favours in guarding against the possibility, especially in terms of the composition of their midfield. Teams in the Premier League have had an average of 68 per cent of their midfield minutes from players aged between 22 and 28 this season; a trio of substitute appearances from Naby Keita since the World Cup are all Liverpool have had from this age range this term.
While new players should be signed next summer, as additions this month look unlikely, they won’t be able to entirely address this discrepancy. Many of the midfielders whose performances are being questioned week after week will be here next season too. Is their decline irreversible at this point?
It’s not an easy poser to answer. The various stats websites who use algorithms to assess players agree that Liverpool’s midfield is universally performing worse this season. Every single man in the centre of the team has a worse WhoScored rating than they did for 2021/22. Among Harvey Elliott, Fabinho, Jordan Henderson and Thiago Alcantara – the quartet who have had the bulk of the minutes this season – it’s the club captain who has seen the biggest decline by their measure.
Andrew Beasley has more, here.
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