CLUB SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Club | Liverpool FC |
| League | Premier League |
| Manager | Andoni Iraola |
| Stadium | Anfield |
| 2026/27 League Position | 4th (after 10 matches) |
| League Record | 4W-3D-3L, 15 points |
| Key Departure | Curtis Jones (£30m to Inter Milan) |
| Key Midfield Signing | Florian Wirtz |
| Promoted from Within | Trey Nyoni (fourth-choice midfielder) |
| Current Midfield Crisis | Balance of double pivot under scrutiny; Szoboszlai’s suitability questioned |
The Defining Moment
Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool midfield was supposed to be the foundation of a title challenge. Instead, it has become the most debated area of the team. The sale of Curtis Jones to Inter Milan for £30 million in August 2026 removed a homegrown option, but the club’s decision not to sign a replacement has thrust a 19-year-old into the spotlight.
The defining moment came not in a victory, but in a defeat. Against Fenerbahce in the Champions League, Dominik Szoboszlai produced what one journalist described as a “dreadful” performance in the double pivot—no tackles, no influence, no control. Jamie Carragher, speaking on Sky Sports, articulated the concern that had been building all season: “The discussion that has been there all pre-season and all season is the balance of Liverpool’s midfield. You’ve got Szoboszlai there and Mac Allister—again, individually, two really good players, talented players, but do they work as a partnership in there?”
The answer, increasingly, has been no. And the solution, surprisingly, has been Trey Nyoni. The 19-year-old academy graduate has started five cup matches and impressed with his positional discipline and composure. Carragher described him as “the only midfield player Liverpool have right now who almost sees danger, stays in that position, stays in the middle of the pitch, and can actually play there as well.”
This is the story of Liverpool’s 2026/27 midfielders: a unit in transition, searching for balance, and finding answers in unexpected places.
Tactical Context
Iraola’s system utilises a double pivot in a 4-2-3-1, with Florian Wirtz operating as the advanced playmaker behind Alexander Isak. The two deeper midfielders are expected to provide control, protection for the defence, and progression into the final third.
The problem, as Carragher and Daniel Sturridge have both noted, is that Liverpool’s midfielders have a tendency to vacate the space in front of the defence. “The reason why Liverpool are open is because they don’t have someone who’s reading in front of the defence, and both of the midfielders, whether it’s Mac Allister or Szoboszlai, have a tendency to vacate that space in front of the defence because of the press the manager wants to do,” Sturridge said.
The numbers reflect this instability. Iraola has used various combinations across the season: Szoboszlai and Gravenberch in the opening match, Mac Allister and Nyoni against Fenerbahce, Szoboszlai as a No. 10 with Mac Allister and Nyoni behind him. The search for the right balance has been constant.
The Midfielders
Alexis Mac Allister
Mac Allister has been the most consistent presence in Liverpool’s midfield, accumulating 1,021 minutes across all competitions—the most of any midfielder. The Argentine has started six league matches, recording 488 minutes and a 7.00 average rating.
His contract situation is a matter of speculation. He is contracted until 2028, but Liverpool reportedly told him they could not offer a new deal in the summer. Real Madrid have been linked with the 27-year-old, though no move materialised. On the pitch, he remains a reliable presence—composed in possession, intelligent in his movement, and capable of contributing in the final third.
Dominik Szoboszlai
Szoboszlai’s season has been one of frustration. The Hungarian, who was Liverpool’s Player of the Season in 2025/26 with 13 goals and 12 assists, has struggled to replicate that form in Iraola’s double pivot. He started the campaign alongside Gravenberch before losing his place to Mac Allister, and a hamstring injury sustained on international duty ruled him out for five matches.
His return has not brought a return to form. Against Fenerbahce, he was deployed as a No. 10 and “couldn’t get into the game or influence it.” The debate over his best position—and whether he fits Iraola’s system at all—remains unresolved. He has recorded 471 minutes in six league appearances, with one goal and a 6.79 average rating.
Ryan Gravenberch
Gravenberch has been in and out of the side, starting six league matches and accumulating 254 minutes. The Dutchman, who was a key figure in Liverpool’s 2024/25 title-winning campaign, has found opportunities harder to come by under Iraola. He has a contract until 2032, having signed an extension in March 2026, but his role in the current setup is uncertain.
His 6.59 average rating reflects a player who has not yet found his rhythm in the new system.
Trey Nyoni
Nyoni has been the story of Liverpool’s midfield. The 19-year-old academy graduate was promoted to fourth-choice midfielder following Curtis Jones’ departure, with Iraola deciding against signing a replacement. He has started five cup matches, accumulating 598 minutes across all competitions—more than Szoboszlai or Gravenberch.
His performances have justified the faith. Against Fenerbahce, he was one of Liverpool’s better players, demonstrating the positional discipline that his more experienced teammates lack. “He’s the only midfield player Liverpool have right now who almost sees danger, stays in that position,” Carragher said. At 19, he is still developing physically, but his maturity on the pitch has been remarkable. Liverpool are reportedly in talks over a new contract.
Florian Wirtz
Wirtz has been used primarily as the advanced midfielder, accumulating 986 minutes across all competitions—second only to Mac Allister. The German international has started six league matches, recording 556 minutes and a 6.66 average rating.
His role is different from the deeper midfielders. Wirtz operates behind the striker, tasked with creating chances and linking play. He has recorded 34 passes per match in the league, reflecting his involvement in the final third.
Wataru Endo
Endo remains the only natural defensive midfielder in the squad, but he has been used sparingly. The 33-year-old has made zero league appearances, with his involvement limited to cup competitions and emergency cover. His contract expires in 2027, and a departure remains possible.
James McConnell
McConnell, a 21-year-old academy graduate, has been included in the Premier League squad but has made no league appearances. He is a development option rather than a first-team contributor.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: Liverpool Midfielder League Statistics (2026/27)
| Player | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexis Mac Allister | 6 (5) | 488 | 0 | 0 | 7.00 |
| Dominik Szoboszlai | 6 (6) | 471 | 1 | 0 | 6.79 |
| Florian Wirtz | 7 (7) | 556 | 0 | 0 | 6.66 |
| Ryan Gravenberch | 6 (—) | 254 | 0 | 0 | 6.59 |
| Trey Nyoni | 5 (—) | 125 | 0 | 0 | 6.45 |
TABLE B: Liverpool Midfield Unit – Key Metrics (All Competitions)
| Player | Minutes |
|---|---|
| Alexis Mac Allister | 1,021 |
| Florian Wirtz | 986 |
| Dominik Szoboszlai | 712 |
| Ryan Gravenberch | 663 |
| Trey Nyoni | 598 |
TABLE C: Midfield Availability (November 2026)
| Player | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Alexis Mac Allister | Fit | Most consistent midfielder |
| Dominik Szoboszlai | Fit | Form and position under scrutiny |
| Ryan Gravenberch | Fit | In and out of the side |
| Trey Nyoni | Fit | Promoted to fourth choice |
| Florian Wirtz | Fit | Advanced role |
| Wataru Endo | Fit | Emergency cover |
Tactical Identity & Squad Balance
Liverpool’s midfield is a unit searching for identity. The decision not to replace Curtis Jones, instead promoting Nyoni, was a gamble that has partly paid off—the teenager has impressed—but it has left the squad thin on defensive cover.
The balance problem is structural. Mac Allister and Szoboszlai are both attack-minded players who press aggressively and vacate the space in front of the defence. Against teams that counter-attack effectively—like Newcastle, who held Liverpool to a 2-2 draw with rapid transitions—that space is exploited.
The solution may lie in Nyoni’s continued development. His positional discipline and composure on the ball offer something different from his more experienced teammates. If he can establish himself as a regular starter, Liverpool’s midfield may find the balance it has lacked. But at 19, he cannot be expected to carry the burden alone.
The January window may offer an opportunity to address the imbalance. Liverpool were linked with Adam Wharton, Alex Scott, and Lamine Camara in the summer, but the fees required—£50-70 million—were deemed prohibitive. Whether that stance changes in January remains to be seen.
The Verdict from the Camp
Jamie Carragher, former Liverpool defender:
“The discussion that has been there all pre-season and all season is the balance of Liverpool’s midfield. You’ve got Szoboszlai there and Mac Allister—again, individually, two really good players, talented players, but do they work as a partnership in there?”
“Trey Nyoni really is the only midfield player Liverpool have right now who almost sees danger, stays in that position, stays in the middle of the pitch, and can actually play there as well.”
Daniel Sturridge, former Liverpool striker:
“I think the reason why Liverpool are open is because they don’t have someone who’s reading in front of the defence, and both of the midfielders, whether it’s Mac Allister or Szoboszlai, have a tendency to vacate that space in front of the defence because of the press the manager wants to do.”
James Pearce, The Athletic:
“Despite the clamour for midfield reinforcements, which intensified after Sunday’s dramatic 2-2 draw with Newcastle, senior club sources say Liverpool’s focus remains on bolstering their attacking options out wide. They don’t intend to replace Jones, as they see teenager Trey Nyoni as ready to step up and play a bigger part this season.”
Where Next?
Liverpool’s midfield priority is resolving the balance of the double pivot. The personnel are talented—Mac Allister is a proven Premier League midfielder, Szoboszlai is a match-winner on his day, and Wirtz is one of Europe’s most creative players—but they are not functioning as a cohesive unit.
Nyoni’s continued development is the most intriguing subplot. If he can establish himself as a regular starter, he offers the positional discipline that Liverpool have lacked. If he cannot, the January window may force the club’s hand.
For now, Liverpool have a midfield that is productive in possession but vulnerable in transition. The results—fourth in the league, three defeats in ten matches—reflect a team still finding its feet under a new manager. The midfield is the area where that search is most urgent.
