Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool must sign a new midfielder before the transfer window closes. The Reds have already been active this summer ahead of Andoni Iraola's first season in charge, bringing in defender Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz, while Ronald Araujo has arrived on loan from Barcelona.
The club are also keen to bolster their attacking options, with a deal reportedly close for Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola, and bids lodged for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr.
Gerrard's midfield warning
Despite those moves, the club icon has suggested they need a defensive midfielder before the window shuts on Tuesday evening. Speaking on TNT Sports, he said: "There's one area that hasn't really had much focus, only really in the last week since the Newcastle game. I believe they need a specialist in the No. 6 position, that's my opinion."
He added: "Now, the manager might have different ideas in terms of how he wants the team to look and his philosophy, but I think this team has missed a destroyer, someone who holds the middle of the pitch, who is a massive part of the spine since the team moved Fabinho on."
"I think that position's been sorely missed, I don't think they've got a specialist in that position. That can allow your [Dominik] Szoboszlais and your [Ryan] Gravenberchs and your [Alexis] Mac Allisters to go and join attacks, to make the back four secure. I think they miss that position badly."
Midfield and striker concerns
There has been some movement in Liverpool's midfield this summer, with academy graduate Curtis Jones sold to Inter Milan, while Harvey Elliott continues to be linked with a move away. Gerrard also suggested the striker position remains a problem for Iraola.
He continued: "Obviously, Ekitike is injured at the moment, so it's a delicate position, the No. 9. If there's an issue with Isak, I think there could be problems, especially if rumours are true where [Cody] Gakpo could be going in the opposite direction."
"It's been well reported in the last weeks and months that Liverpool are linked with the wide areas, they're being linked with [Ismaila] Sarr, [Yankuba] Minteh and Bradley Barcola, so they definitely need to strengthen the sides in the forward areas, but also the No. 9 for the what-ifs."
Liverpool will aim to kick their season into life this weekend as they welcome Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon. The transfer window closes at 11pm on Tuesday evening.
