Although many sports journalists tend to focus on the fresh lessons taught by a game, this particular match only served to confirm what was previously established.
Here is what those who closely follow Liverpool were already well aware of:
1. The team is dealing with a massive problem in the center of the pitch.
2. Defensively, Liverpool remain incredibly vulnerable during transitional phases.
3. Significant anxieties persist regarding the full-backs, particularly Jeremie Frimpong.
4. Alexander Isak seems ill-suited to the squad’s style of play.
The ongoing struggles of the team were glaringly obvious at St James’ Park, persisting just as they have for the past twelve months—and in some instances, even longer.
The main concern lies in the middle of the park, encompassing both the tactical formation and the players selected.
Following the game, Daniel Sturridge made an accurate observation, pointing out that the search for a proper defensive midfielder at Liverpool has been an ongoing topic of discussion for the past three seasons.
Liverpool’s persistent midfield challenges
Numerous analysts had previously flagged this issue, tracing it back to the beginning of the previous campaign. At that point, Arne Slot adjusted his central system to a ‘2-1’ shape from a ‘1-2’, discarding a traditional defensive anchor in favor of a double pivot.
This tactical shift resulted in a vastly different assignment for Ryan Gravenberch, who enjoyed his most successful half-year playing as a dynamic ‘No. 6’ protecting the backline during Slot’s debut campaign.
Furthermore, the adjustment was intended to integrate Florian Wirtz in the playmaker role—a decision that Iraola has since reinforced, asserting his desire to utilize the German international in that exact position.
This choice is surprising given that Wirtz has consistently performed best for both Germany and Bayer Leverkusen when starting on the left wing and drifting inside, whereas his central displays for the Reds have clearly lacked impact. After being substituted at the 60-minute mark against Newcastle, the £116 million acquisition is quickly becoming a source of major anxiety.
“When you look closely at the midfield composition, their natural instincts are geared toward attacking,” Sturridge noted during his Sky Sports appearance—a valid point. Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Wirtz are fundamentally attack-minded players who lack the defensive instincts typically found in players like Fabinho or Rodri.
Rodri serves as the perfect example for anyone who thinks Liverpool fans are overly fixated on securing a holding midfielder. Their obsession is understandable; they witnessed how Fabinho elevated Jurgen Klopp’s team, and the entire division has seen how indispensable Rodri is to Manchester City.
Pepijn Lijnders, previously an assistant coach at Anfield, famously dubbed Fabinho “the lighthouse” because of his talent for managing chaotic situations and proactively winning back possession. “You must remain incredibly vigilant defensively to support the squad,” the former Brazilian midfielder once explained. “My goal is to dictate the tempo.”
The squad desperately lacks a central player who can orchestrate and dictate the flow of play.
Perhaps the most viable candidate for this role is Alexis Mac Allister, who assumed a much deeper position than Gravenberch after coming on for the final thirty minutes of the match.
The Argentine international handles a comparable task for his national team and previously performed admirably there during Klopp’s tenure, despite the fact that defending is not his primary footballing instinct.
Andoni Iraola’s perspective
The vulnerability was perfectly illustrated by Newcastle’s first goal, which saw both central midfielders, Gravenberch and Szoboszlai, stranded deep inside the opposition’s penalty area just as the counter-attack was launched.
This was a recurring theme throughout the previous campaign, notably seen when Antoine Semenyo burst unchecked through the center of the pitch during Liverpool’s first match of the 2025/26 season against Iraola’s Bournemouth team.
Now, the new boss of the Reds is tasked with fixing a weakness that he himself used to exploit when coaching against them.
“In my opinion, it is not merely a question of individual players,” he remarked during his post-game media session at St James’ Park. “The squad must collectively adjust to these moments and recognize when they are developing.”
“This is an issue that requires a collective effort from several players to resolve,” the Spanish manager added.
The elusive search for a holding midfielder
Ever since Fabinho’s exit in 2023, the club has been without a specialist anchor in the center. That transfer window saw unsuccessful bids for Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, resulting in the unexpected acquisition of Wataru Endo.
“You are exactly what we require,” Klopp remarked to the Japanese captain upon his arrival at the training facility. “We need your dedication, your stamina, your technical skills, and your tactical intelligence. We need your hunger.”
Fast forward three years, and the situation remains largely unchanged; the club is still in pursuit of a player possessing those exact traits.
Mamadou Sangare, who caught the eye during an impressive debut for Brentford in a victory over Tottenham, was reportedly on the Reds’ radar, though no formal offer materialized before the transfer window closed. He possesses the defensive work ethic and physical profile that supporters are desperate to see in the lineup.
Two seasons prior, a pursuit of Martin Zubimendi also fell flat. While less of a hard-tackling player and more of a possession controller, the Spanish international (who serves as Rodri’s backup) seemed a sensible target, despite his subsequent struggles to secure a starting role under Mikel Arteta at Arsenal.
Adam Wharton is another talent frequently tipped for a move to Anfield, with scouting reports dating back to his time at Blackburn. Though he leans more toward dictating play than winning physical duels, he would undoubtedly introduce a fresh dynamic to the squad’s central options.
Yet, for the time being, the marquee defensive midfielder that fans desire seems unlikely to sign, as recent updates indicate that decision-makers within the club do not view the position as a recruitment priority. This is an opinion shared by very few outside observers.
The Anfield faithful can only hope that Iraola devises a tactical remedy quickly; otherwise, this persistent issue risks undoing all the positive strides made by the forward line this year.
Recruiting more wide players could offer a temporary boost in terms of velocity and threat on the flanks, but it will do nothing to address the core issue.
