Liverpool transfer problem hard to ignore – and Sturridge and Carragher agree

To concede in the manner Liverpool did at Newcastle United once might be considered unfortunate. To do so twice? Well, that might be looked at as something else entirely.

And if anything meaningful is to be taken from the pre-season beyond the obvious fitness-building aspects, Andoni Iraola might find himself staring at a pattern regarding his midfield and the swathes of green space it is affording the opposition right now.

Iraola was the first to decry the claims that his engine room is missing an enforcer but the puzzle he has been left to piece together, even at this early juncture of the season, is surely now proving to be an unwanted distraction.

The first of the two goals the Reds conceded at St James' Park came when Ryan Gravenberch curiously opted for a pass alongside the edge of the box after a wonderful drop of the shoulder allowed him to advance forward.

The counter-attack that followed gave William Osula the freedom of the pitch before he was able to slide in the electric Anthony Elanga, who scored his first goal in 50 Newcastle league appearances less than five minutes into the Matthias Jaissle era on Tyneside.

Gravenberch's willingness to surge forward perhaps should have been the cue for Dominik Szoboszlai, his midfield partner, to drop off and screen a back four who were left exposed by the sheer velocity of Newcastle's counter, despite having the numerical advantage and plenty of speed in their own ranks.

The Magpies' second goal, scored by Joe Willock just 110 seconds after his introduction, was another masterclass in failing to sense danger early, from Liverpool's perspective.

Another player - perhaps one more famed for their defensive nous - might have been minded to simply haul back the marauding Yoane Wissa after his neat bit of play enabled him to wriggle free of the Reds' midfield. But Florian Wirtz is not known for being one of football's great destroyers, so Wissa was able to wriggle free and attack the Reds' backline before Willock curled home beautifully.

Once again, the goal originated from more bungled play by Gravenberch; his unsuccessful back-heel gifted possession back to Newcastle on the edge of the home side's box. This time, Szoboszlai was well placed to stop the counter at its source, but his inability to sweep up allowed a mildly threatening counter-raid to develop into the worst possible outcome for Iraola's side once more.

With Wirtz and Szoboszlai tracking back with all the determination seen at Soccer Aid, Newcastle were still able to make light of being outmanned two to four on the edge of the Liverpool box to make it 2-1.

The goal, coming within two minutes of Cody Gakpo's equaliser, further knocked confidence and belief, just when the visitors might have fancied themselves to take flight.

“I think the team needs a defensive midfielder personally," former striker Daniel Sturridge told Sky Sports after the game. "We've been speaking about a defensive midfielder for the last three years at Liverpool. And Gravenberch coming into the team and winning the league sort of changed that philosophy.

"But if you actually analyse the midfielder they are more naturally attacking players. Liverpool don’t really have that profile of player right now. Trey Nyoni, I really like him as a player but he’s more of a ball-playing No.6. He’s not a destroyer who will strike fear into the opposition."

"LFC Midfield all bombing forward happened all pre season, madness!" Jamie Carragher posted on X after the opening goal at St James, adding after the second was scored: "Again! This midfield cannot work, I said it before a competitive ball was kicked."

Iraola, though, insists his squad is not short of a more defensive-minded midfielder, despite losing Curtis Jones to Inter on Friday in a £30m deal. Speaking in his post-match press conference, Iraola said: “It’s not just personnel.

"I understand that Ryan Gravenberch is basically the No.6 and is on the edge of their box (before Newcastle’s first goal). If he shoots and scores then we are saying what a play from Ryan Gravenberch.

“I don’t want us to take that from his game but we have to adapt as a team to these situations. We have to know these situations can happen.

“For the first one I think we should just finish the great chance we created. We were on the edge of the box with a clear situation to shoot, but we didn’t and then you have to give credit to Elanga for winning the race.

“It wasn’t like they caught us by surprise. We should compete for the first ball and probably make a foul - be a bit more aggressive against the ball carrier."

Liverpool remain insistent that Jones's departure won't facilitate a move for another midfielder but their recent history contradicts their general stance that a more defensive player is not needed in the squad.

Between 2022 and 2024, the Reds tried to sign Aurelien Tchouameni, Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo and Martin Zubimendi, who are all central midfielders who might be deemed as No.6s.

The obvious counterpoint right now is Wataru Endo but it is an imperfect solution given the Japan captain hasn't played competitively since February and has rarely risen above the status of 'squad player' in his three years on Merseyside.

The likable Endo is something of cult hero on the terraces and his full-blooded performances have earned plaudits during his time at Anfield, but he is, at the age of 33, not the long-term fix to a growing problem.

But what is? For Iraola, some time on the training pitches of the AXA will eventually iron out the kinks but Szoboszlai, Gravenberch and substitute Alexis Mac Allister are not new players building midfield relationships from scratch. They are all in their fourth season at the club and have proven, with the right balance, that they can be successful.

So does that mean a specialist holding midfielder is required to redress the balance? It's an opinion that is becoming harder to ignore.