Wharton fits Liverpool bill but Slot could already have answer to issue

And while the forward line, the defence and, at least this week, the goalkeeping situation has all taken a hit, the midfield has arguably been the one area where it just hasn't felt right throughout the campaign.

Again, there isn't just one thing on which the finger can be placed to determine the issue, although the need to evolve the team with the arrival of £116million man Florian Wirtz as the new number 10 last summer is certainly compelling evidence.

But it's clear the intensity and cohesion in the engine room, which was such an integral part of Liverpool's dominant Premier League title triumph last year, has been sorely lacking at key stages.

Which is what made it so intriguing when the teamsheet for Sunday's first Merseyside derby at Hill Dickinson Stadium against Everton dropped. For only the fourth time this season, Ryan Gravenberch was paired in a double pivot alongside Dominik Szoboszlai with Alexis Mac Allister benched.

Few would argue Szoboszlai has by some distance been Liverpool's best player of such an underwhelming campaign. His appearances, though, have usually been away from the heart of the midfield battle, whether that be in the number 10 role, on the right flank, as part of a 4-2-2-2 formation or, of course, at right-back.

But, tellingly, the Hungary international has been in the deeper midfield role for the last three games, partnered, at least initially, by Curtis Jones in the win over Fulham and then Gravenberch for the last two matches.

As demonstrated by Jones featuring and performing well at right-back against Everton, Arne Slot has now reached a stage where only a series of unfortunate circumstances - as in the second half at home to Paris Saint-Germain last midweek - will see Szoboszlai employed on the right of defence.

“Dominik is for me a midfielder," said Slot recently. "He is for me a midfielder. If I have the chance, I play him in the midfield. If everybody is available, the team is stronger when he’s playing in midfield."

And it worked last weekend, offering Liverpool more bite and physicality in the heat of derby battle before Szoboszlai's set-piece delivery prowess invited Virgil van Dijk to score his dramatic late winner.

Gravenberch, meanwhile, wasn't averse to sticking the boot in and was perhaps fortunate to escape being booked.

So, might it point to the future for Liverpool?

Certainly, the Reds are invested in Gravenberch for the long term with the Dutchman having penned a new six-year contract last month. Szoboszlai, meanwhile, is eager to similarly extend his Liverpool commitment and wants a resolution to negotiations.

By contrast, talks are not ongoing over a new deal for Mac Allister who, having been so impressive for two seasons since arriving from Brighton alongside his midfield colleagues in the summer of 2023, has fallen massively short of that standard this time around.

With Wataru Endo having rarely had a look-in during Slot's tenure, Liverpool may see this summer as an opportunity to reshuffle their midfield resources and bring in a more traditional defensive midfielder.

Someone such as Adam Wharton, who is likely to be fit enough to be in opposition for Crystal Palace this afternoon, would fit the profile with the Reds also mindful of meeting their homegrown quota.

Such players, though, will not come cheap. And with the Reds expected to once again be compelled to wheel and deal in the transfer market, the answer to their midfield issues could already be at Slot's disposal.

The remaining weeks of the season could prove decisive - starting this afternoon at Anfield.