Ian Wright says his ‘big worry’ for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool is their centre-halves, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konate and Joel Matip.
Transfer deadline day is approaching and Liverpool fans will be hoping that their team dip into the market and refresh the backline.
Well, Wright certainly feels that Jurgen Klopp’s side need to do that, as he highlighted issues with Trent Alexander-Arnold moving into midfield, as he told Premier League Productions (28/08/23 at 2:10 pm).
The Arsenal legend thinks that those behind Alexander-Arnold, when he tucks into midfield, such as Joe Gomez, who came off the bench during the dramatic win at Newcastle, Ibrahima Konate, who is currently injured and Joel Matip, need to help out.
Well, with Konate in the treatment room and Virgil van Dijk now suspended, it looks like it will be Matip and Gomez starting against Aston Villa on Sunday – two players who started the new campaign on the bench.
Whilst the attack is thriving, Wright highlighted the defence as an issue and how it needs sorting out.
“One of the big worries for me is their centre-halves,” said Wright. “Whether it’s Joel Matip, Joe Gomez or Konate.
“When you are going to invert like Trent is, then you do need somebody behind you, who is confident of cleaning that up, like Arsenal with Saliba. You seen how much we missed him.
“There are so many things that can go wrong with Liverpool, that once they get that right and strengthen that defence up, then you have got that midfield where you are going to get something from that.
“Then when you see Darwin Nunez taking half-chances when you have gone down to ten men, then that does kind of galvanise him and the team. The team will realise that they can keep this tight and our midfield will start to get solid. I still believe the backline is what Liverpool have to worry about, even when Virgil comes back.”
Big week ahead for Liverpool
There are many who are arguing that Liverpool still need more from the 2023 summer transfer market – it slams shut on Friday.
Perhaps one more midfield player, another option for the backline and keeping Mohamed Salah are the main targets before that clock ticks down.
The Saudis are knocking and Liverpool fans will be hoping that their star man on the right hasn’t played his last game for the club, because keeping Salah might just be the best thing they do.