Liverpool great Graeme Souness has said that his old club need a clever playmaker like David Silva or Kevin De Bruyne if they are to catch Manchester City.
The Reds finished well behind Pep Guardiola’s side last time out and, despite sitting joint top with City at present, Souness still feels there is something missing.
“I think [concern about midfield] is how Jurgen [Klopp] sees it as well,” he told Sky Sports. “He signed two midfield players this summer, and went for Nabil Fekir from Lyon as the third. That tells you he thinks he needs to strengthen.
“I think that’s what it is. They have three real workaholics in there, but I don’t think they’ve got anyone in there who is really cute and clever, like a David Silva or a Kevin De Bruyne. But these are hard players to find.”
OPINION
It’s hard to disagree with Souness, here. Klopp obviously identified the problem himself in the summer because he tried very hard to bring Fekir in despite signing Naby Keita and Fabinho. That tells you that he wasn’t wholly happy with his midfield options. The 1-0 win over Huddersfield on Saturday showed that the Reds were light on a playmaker or two who can unlock packed defences. For all the talent in the Liverpool midfield, and there is lots of it, they don’t really have anyone as intelligent as Silva or De Bruyne. Adam Lallana could be that player if he is able to get back to his old form but, judging by his performance on Saturday that’s a big if. The gap has obviously closed from last season between Liverpool and City, but the absence of a top class playmaker may hurt the Reds as the season drags on and legs get a little more tired.
