Reds focus remains on wingers

[BBC] Having a defensive midfielder stationed accordingly would, in all likelihood, have nullified the threat for Newcastle's goals on Sunday.. Liverpool have not had an out-and-out number six since Fabinho, who left in 2023, and as it stands Iraola's preference is a two-man pivot in midfield with Florian Wirtz playing as a number 10. Both of those two midfielders, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, were in the Newcastle box when Liverpool lost possession before Anthony Elanga's opener. If Liverpool are to be taken seriously, they simply cannot concede goals like that regularly. Andoni Iraola tends to avoid major debriefs in the dressing room after a game, with his personal preference to speak to the players a day later. Asked in his post-match news conference about what could be done to prevent the kind of goals his side conceded, the Liverpool head coach suggested that it was not due to the type or identity of midfielders he had selected. "I think it's just not personnel," said Iraola. "I understand you are telling me basically that Ryan Gravenberch is the six and he is on the edge of the box - but if he shoots and he scores we are saying what a play from Ryan Gravenberch." It was an interesting point, given that Gravenberch produced the assist for Cody Gakpo's equaliser. But shortly after Newcastle went 2-1 up, Iraola reacted by bringing on Alexis Mac Allister for Wirtz and Liverpool did seem more stable defensively - even if the Argentina international prefers to play as an eight. Szoboszlai made zero tackles and won three of his 10 duels (30%) while Gravenberch similarly failed to make a tackle and won four of his 10 duels (40%). When Mac Allister came on, he made two tackles and won four of his five duels (80%). On Sky Sports, former Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge did not hold back in his criticism. "Liverpool do not have that profile of player right now." said Sturridge. "The team has needed a defensive midfielder for three years. If you analyse the midfield, they are all naturally attacking players." At Liverpool, the focus in the remaining days of the transfer window is clear. Their stance is unchanged in that the priority remains wide attacking players rather than midfield, even after the exit of Curtis Jones. Read more from Aadam