Liverpool Set to Ignore Jamie Carragher’s Midfield Plea as Transfer Focus Shifts Elsewhere

Liverpool appear set to leave Jamie Carragher frustrated, with the club reportedly planning to spend the final days of the summer transfer window strengthening their options out wide rather than bringing in another central midfielder.

The decision comes after a dramatic opening Premier League fixture at Newcastle, where Liverpool were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park. Dominik Szoboszlai rescued a point with a late penalty after Newcastle had twice taken the lead through Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock.

For Carragher, the performance exposed a problem that needs addressing before the transfer deadline.

Carragher wants Liverpool to strengthen in midfield

Andoni Iraola deployed Szoboszlai alongside Ryan Gravenberch in central midfield against Newcastle, while Alexis Mac Allister was introduced from the bench in the second half.

Liverpool repeatedly looked vulnerable when Newcastle broke forward, with their pace causing problems for the visitors. Gravenberch, in particular, came under criticism after failing to track Willock for Newcastle’s second goal.

Carragher believes Liverpool need a midfielder capable of adding both defensive energy and composure in possession.

“Liverpool need someone alongside Gravenberch,” he said on Sky Sports. “It doesn’t necessarily need to be a player who can’t get on the ball and he’s just tackling and stopping players. If you play for one of the top teams in the world, you need to be able to get hold of the ball.

“But I want someone who can run.”

The former Liverpool defender also believes Szoboszlai’s best position should be further forward, at No. 10, rather than in central midfield.

“Szoboszlai has to go to the No 10. I’ve always seen this coming,” Carragher said. “When people are saying [Wirtz] has got to go to No 10, that means Szoboszlai’s got to be in the team and he’s not a central midfield player.”

Liverpool have other priorities before September 1

Despite Carragher’s concerns, Liverpool are not expected to follow his advice.

According to The Athletic, the club have no plans to sign another midfielder after Curtis Jones completed a move to Inter Milan for £25.7million plus £4.3m in add-ons.

Instead, academy graduate Trey Nyoni is viewed as ready to take on a bigger role. The 19-year-old has already made 20 first-team appearances and is expected to provide another option in midfield.

James McConnell could also leave on loan to a Championship club, which would further reduce the number of midfielders available to Iraola. Wataru Endo remains another option in the position.

Liverpool’s recruitment priorities are currently focused elsewhere.

The Reds have already added defenders Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo, as well as winger Victor Munoz, during the summer. Their attention is now firmly on adding more attacking width, with Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh and Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola both being pursued before the transfer window closes on September 1.

That approach is precisely what has left Carragher concerned.

“All of a sudden it’s all about buying wingers?”

Carragher believes Liverpool’s defensive problems should make another midfield signing a priority rather than concentrating so heavily on attacking players.

He pointed to the number of goals Liverpool conceded last season as evidence that the issue is not new.

“I think this would come up in six weeks, I think it’s coming up right now,” Carragher said when discussing Wirtz and the midfield structure.

“I don’t see where he fits in at all, really. What’s Iraola going to do with Wirtz? You can’t keep going with it; it’s not working.”

Carragher argued that the problems Liverpool experienced against Newcastle were already visible last season.

“It didn’t work last season,” he said. “Liverpool last season conceded 78 goals, 53 in the Premier League, the most they’ve ever conceded in the Premier League.”

And with Liverpool now prioritising attacking reinforcements, Carragher was left questioning the club’s strategy.

“And all of a sudden it’s all about buying wingers?” he added.

With the September 1 deadline rapidly approaching, Liverpool therefore face a clear difference of opinion between their transfer plans and Carragher’s assessment of what the squad needs most. While the club continues to pursue attacking wide players, the former defender remains convinced that the midfield requires reinforcement.