Liverpool must find the proper player to complement the talents of Dominik Szoboszlai and Alexis MacAllister.
So far, the Reds’ two marquee midfield arrivals have settled in well, with Szoboszlai in particular getting high praise.
But, with Mac Allister mostly serving as a holding midfielder, there’s a sense that both of them have a lot more to offer. And, on the ESPN FC podcast, pundit Steve Nicol thinks Jurgen Klopp needs to find the ideal guy to sit behind the pair – and it’s Wataru Endo or Curtis Jones.
“If they can get someone to play alongside the two of them [Szoboszlai and Mac Allister], they can just take a step forward,” the former Liverpool star stated. “Right now, I have no idea [who that could be]; I don’t have anyone.”
“I used to think Amrabat would be the right one next to them, but it’s not working out at United.” I initially thought he’d be excellent since he could sit just behind them and let them accomplish more in the future.
“But I don’t think Endo is the solution, and I don’t think Jones is the solution.” So, right now, I believe Liverpool should be on the lookout for someone.”
Liverpool is on the lookout for answers.
Some may argue that Nicol’s selection of Endo in particular is unfair. So far, the 30-year-old has divided opinion at Liverpool.
It’s understandable for the pundit to single out Jones. It’s important noting that Nicol isn’t claiming the Scouser isn’t the answer in general, only that he’s not the best defensive midfielder. The majority of fans would agree.
Endo, on the other hand, is in that position. The international from Japan was called in to do the dirty work behind Szoboszlai and Mac Allister.
To be fair, it is still early in his Liverpool career. There’s a good chance he’ll improve and mature into the player to accomplish so.
But, for the time being, Nicol is correct in his assessment that he does not appear to be the solution.
There’s a reason Klopp continues to start Mac Allister in an unusual No.6 position over Endo in the Premier League. For the time being, the manager clearly does not trust the 30-year-old.
That trust should ideally begin to grow as Endo becomes more accustomed to what is required of him at Liverpool. But, at 30, there’s a chance that won’t happen for the former Stuttgart man.
Meanwhile, the Reds must be looking for a suitable replacement in the transfer market. It is neither fair to Mac Allister nor conducive to the team’s success to continue expecting him to deliver in the 6 slot. There is an answer, but it is not either of these two.
