Do we need a new midfielder this summer?

Having Keita and Ox will improve us but I think we should replace Lallana, I doubt he can challenge for a starting position and e a reliable player from the bench. However, he said himself, he plans to stay. If possible I think we should make Van Dijk vice-captain so that Milner becomes our cover for LB and we give Grujic a chance in midfield...

Other than adding depth theres not a lot more to do with this team. Moreno and Sturridge leaving I'd say we'd be looking to replace them with better.

We could spend 80 million to do that or 8 million, but I'm not sure that who ever we buy will get a starting spot in this team.

Where is the weakness really? I dont see one. The weakness is purely depth, at left back and in the forward line. Even then Brewster and Origi may well be capable deputies to be fair.

Thats not to say we shouldn't do it. It's a great position to be in to have a settled side that doesn't need much doing to it, yet adding further depth anyway. It can only be a good thing and that's what City have done for years.

Other than adding depth theres not a lot more to do with this team. Moreno and Sturridge leaving I'd say we'd be looking to replace them with better.

We could spend 80 million to do that or 8 million, but I'm not sure that who ever we buy will get a starting spot in this team.

Where is the weakness really? I dont see one. The weakness is purely depth, at left back and in the forward line. Even then Brewster and Origi may well be capable deputies to be fair.

Thats not to say we shouldn't do it. It's a great position to be in to have a settled side that doesn't need much doing to it, yet adding further depth anyway. It can only be a good thing and that's what City have done for years.

Yea we will be fine even if we sign no one this summer.

I would like to improve our bench a little though and replace Mignolet and Lallana with better squad players.

Other than that we need cover at LB for Andy.

I wouldn't be opposed to us selling Lovren and signing de Ligt but not overly fussed either way.

Do we NEED a new midfielder this summer? absolutely not.

We have Gini, Hendo, Fab, Keita and Ox all of whom could be starters and will have to battle it out for 3 spots with Lallana, Milner and Shaq as cover. That is top quality depth, though Lallana and Milner will need replacement in the next 1-2 years.

What i would want is a quality addition to the front 3, to cover/challenge for a spot.

Good thread this. It’s a tricky one. If you look at our starting line-up you’d have to say the midfield is the weakest when compared to our back four or our front three. However, with a fully fit Ox and Keita we have got a bit of everything. We still (for me) lack that Modric type of player who can run a game with his passing as well as possessing the skill to beat a player and break lines but hopefully Keita can provide some of this.

Sorry can’t temember who said it but replacing Studge with a top quality forward who can plays across the front three and another left back for Moreno would be my priorities.

I don't think it's a priority, if someone class is available, you jump I think (Isco?).

But we have basically 2 midfielders for every position it seems so I'm good with spending our money elsewhere unless a great opportunity comes our way.

The biggest thing when looking to make a signing for Liverpool isnt whether we spend £18 or £80 million,its the guy has to fit,he has to blend,its a happy bunch down Anfield way last thing we need is a billy big baws and a nippy agent, Im pretty sure we look very carefully into a players characteristic before we offer terms, due diligence and all that , I would however like a Silva, Modric, Fekir,Isco,type player ,but we best leave it to Jürgen he knows what he needs.

Some of you would have already seen it on twitter but Arsene Wenger (very eloquently) made an interesting point on beIN sports during the aftermath of our Champions League Final victory. He noted that if there is an area we can improve on it is the technical quality and reading twitter/other forums many have pointed towards the midfield as an area where that improvement on a technical level can be made. But Arsene did counter this by saying that sometimes in search of technical brilliance you potentially undo/overlook the emotional and attitudinal qualities that he says has made us European champions.

Now if you look at our midfield options going into pre season we have:

Gini
Milner
Hendo
Keita
Fabinho
Chamberlain
Shaqiri
Lallana (still unsure whether he will definitely be here next season)

Strong options I'm sure you'd agree. But can we improve on that? For me, I see a group of midfielders that are technically very good but even better in terms of physicality, work rate and most of all, attitude. In terms of technique for sure we can improve but what is it that we have to improve upon if you believe that our midfield can be improved upon? And, if a new midfielder did come into the team what would his role be and what would his qualities be?

Realistically, we have Fab, Hendo, Gini and Keita capable of being regular starters. Ox will be a massive test to see if he can get back to what he was, Milner and Shaq are good options off the bench and I think Lallana will leave. So we need a bit more quality and depth.

Also, we were incredibly lucky with injuries to the front 3 last season (until Bobby's late injury ofc). Someone to rotate with those three, or even play behind them ahead of a two sitting midfield team in some games would work. Hence I agree with those who say we need an attackign mid / playmaker type who can play as support for striker or as an attacking mid ahead of a sitting two holding midfielders.

Some people are asking the question on who would start in mid. Well the answer would be that we need to be able to rotate players. For me, the only sure starter there at the moment is Fab. The rest can all rotate, so why not add more quality? What we desperately missed last year is a creative player who can break down stubborn defenses and get a few goals from outside the box.

It's going to be an even tougher season because we will be a target now and in the modern game with so much fixture pile up, we need more quality in depth and ability to rest the top players.

Realistically, we have Fab, Hendo, Gini and Keita capable of being regular starters. Ox will be a massive test to see if he can get back to what he was, Milner and Shaq are good options off the bench and I think Lallana will leave. So we need a bit more quality and depth.

Also, we were incredibly lucky with injuries to the front 3 last season (until Bobby's late injury ofc). Someone to rotate with those three, or even play behind them ahead of a two sitting midfield team in some games would work. Hence I agree with those who say we need an attackign mid / playmaker type who can play as support for striker or as an attacking mid ahead of a sitting two holding midfielders.

Some people are asking the question on who would start in mid. Well the answer would be that we need to be able to rotate players. For me, the only sure starter there at the moment is Fab. The rest can all rotate, so why not add more quality? What we desperately missed last year is a creative player who can break down stubborn defenses and get a few goals from outside the box.

It's going to be an even tougher season because we will be a target now and in the modern game with so much fixture pile up, we need more quality in depth and ability to rest the top players.

I appreciate the value of rotation. In my case I asked about who would start IF we signed Fekir. It would leave one of Gini, Hendo or Keita on the bench (understanding a mid in rotation could still start 40 games in the coming season, even with strict rotation).

You make an excellent point about Ox. We all hope for the best for him, but there is a big question nark on him for the new season.

I have said No we don't but if there was a Young 24 year old Steven Gerrard knocking about then clearly that's different but anyone coming into a side that are European Champions and having collected 97 points in the EPL is going to have to be special

Let do it.

I think we do, we've got Ox which is basically a new player, I'd like a attacker Klopp doesn't go for centre forwards so a attacking midfielder/winger. Someone else mentioned it but I'd go in with a one off offer £60m for Coutinho on the wage  he left on pretty much, Barca would have to settle the difference. Probably wouldn't happen but if they want rid?

Cracking article in the Echo here with regards to our midfield and the various options we now have in the middles of the park. We used to sing we had the best midfield in the world when we had Xabi, Mascherano, Gerrard plus Sissoko and Lucas in reserve. I’m not sure we’re at that level but it’s the best it’s been since those days.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-midfield-tactics-premier-league-16655476

Cracking article in the Echo here with regards to our midfield and the various options we now have in the middles of the park. We used to sing we had the best midfield in the world when we had Xabi, Mascherano, Gerrard plus Sissoko and Lucas in reserve. I’m not sure we’re at that level but it’s the best it’s been since those days.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-midfield-tactics-premier-league-16655476

Amazing the so many of them are happy to sit in the bench 😉

Cracking article in the Echo here with regards to our midfield and the various options we now have in the middles of the park. We used to sing we had the best midfield in the world when we had Xabi, Mascherano, Gerrard plus Sissoko and Lucas in reserve. I’m not sure we’re at that level but it’s the best it’s been since those days.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-midfield-tactics-premier-league-16655476

Amazing that so many of them are happy to sit in the bench 😉