Liverpool need midfield makeover to avoid another season of mess

THEORETICAL physicist Albert Einstein once said, “Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”

That seems to be the case with Liverpool.

After a season that saw the club finish fifth, many expect Juergen Klopp’s men to bounce back. The weaknesses of last season were identified, and one of them was strengthening the midfield department.

The club played on the Kopites’ heartstrings by flirting with Jude Bellingham. Eventually, they backtracked on that statement due to the player’s price.

The club informed the fanbase that the money saved from not purchasing Bellingham would be used to buy midfielders. So far, the club are fulfilling that promise by purchasing Alexis Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai.

Both players came before the start of the pre-season and debuted in the friendly matches to the fans’ excitement.

But the red club from Merseyside are still falling short in the midfield department.

This is due to the departure of Jordan Henderson and Fabinho to the Saudi Pro League.

Both players left to chase the final paycheque of their careers, and no one is blaming them for doing so because they have families to feed.

This leaves Liverpool with Curtis Jones, Harvey Elliot, Mac Allister, Thiago Alcantara, Stefan Bajcetic and Szoboszlai as senior members in midfield. Klopp’s team are still short of a defensive midfielder.

Without one, expect the club to have another long season, and their place in the Champions League could be in jeopardy again.

Klopp experimented with Curtis Jones in the pre-season, but he is not the answer. Expect many high-scoring games for Liverpool until Klopp sorts out the defensive midfield situation.

As for Elliot, he has become a luxury in Liverpool’s midfield.

Starting in the 4-3-3 formation, Elliot is a liability, and his defensive deficiency will be exposed regularly. Elliot is more suited to play in a 4-5-1 or a floating 10 to hide his weaknesses. He also could be a suitable replacement for Mohamed Salah when the Egyptian is away for African continental tournaments.

Klopp might get away with playing Elliot in 4-3-3 if the club are playing at Anfield due to the crowd. Away from home, fans can switch off the TV because the outcome is already written.

Liverpool currently have the smallest squad in the Premier League. The Fenway Sports Group (FSG) and Klopp have until the end of August to address that. If not, the same script from the previous season will be repeated repeatedly.

After a big win, it will be #FSGIN; after a loss, it will be #FSGOUT. FSG should support Klopp wholeheartedly because his contract has two years left.

Can the fans still consider him greater than Bob Paisley without winning another league title or a European Cup?

The clock is ticking, and FSG should do the right thing for the betterment and mental health of Liverpool fans in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, congratulations to Arsenal for winning the Charity Shield!

Leandro Trossard’s late goal ensured that the game was decided by a penalty shootout, and Aaron Ramsdale emerged as the hero by saving Rodri’s spot-kick. Pep Guardiola experimented with his side, and it will be interesting to see how the team strengthen after this match.

We can expect Guardiola to spend on another winger to cover for the departure of Riyad Mahrez.

An exciting season lies ahead, and winning the Charity Shield should give Arsenal the confidence boost they need to hit the ground running!

The Premier League will return this Friday with Burnley taking on defending champions City.

The fans have three days left to tinker with their Fantasy League. Choose wisely, and may the best player win!

I am happy football is back, and I hope everyone feels the same!