He's the one, the only player who can save Liverpool's midfield | OneFootball

There's a much more exciting midfielder Liverpool should sign over Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton.

The Reds' midfield has become a weak point this season. What was once a strength has become their achilles heel.

Liverpool are lacking the energy and intensity that once defined the side. For a team built on high pressing, quick transitions, and relentless movement, the drop-off in physicality and dynamism has been difficult to ignore.

Too often, Liverpool’s midfield has been overrun, with opponents finding it easier to play through the centre of the pitch. The lack of mobility and aggression off the ball has left the defence exposed, while also slowing down attacking transitions - a key component of their success in previous years.

Out of all the midfielders Alexis Mac Allister has struggled to fully adapt to the demands of the role more so than others.

While technically gifted and intelligent in possession, he has at times looked too slow for the pace and physicality required in the Premier League. In a system that demands quick recoveries, sharp pressing, and constant movement, his limitations have become more apparent.

Mac Allister often finds himself bypassed in defensive transitions, unable to cover ground quickly enough or impose himself physically in duels. This has contributed to Liverpool losing control in midfield battles, something that rarely happened at their peak.

Ultimately, if Liverpool are to rediscover their identity, they need more energy, athleticism, and defensive presence in midfield - qualities that currently feel in short supply.

Liverpool need to enter the market but there are limitiations to how much the club can spend.

The Reds do need more of a progressive passer and more intensity in the middle of the park but they also probably need two wingers, another centre-back and more full-backs as well.

Going out and spending so much money on a midfielder like Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton doesn't make much sense, especially when there is a better fit for the club's midfield.

Mamadou Sangare.

He's not a popular name like Wharton and Anderson but the RC Lens midfielder has everything to be a superstar and he is exactly what Liverpool need to replace Mac Allister.

The 23-year-old is what Mac Allister is not.

Sangare is high-energy and plays with a lot of intensity. He is a proper box-to-box midfielder with the stamina to run for days and the ability to carry the ball and spray brilliant cross-field passes.

Having developed in Red Bull's system, he's the kind of midfielder you want to be leading the press and covering a lot of ground. Sangare can run and occupy so much space and he's excellent at breaking up play and regaining possession for his side.

Sangare averages the most ground duels won (6.61 per 90 minutes) in Ligue 1 this season.

Only Jude Bellingham (6.83) averages more ground duels won than him among midfielders in Europe’s top five leagues.

He's also won possession more times than any other player (7.7 per 90 minutes) who has played at least 1500+ minutes in Ligue 1.

Sangare is a player who is fast and he could increase Liverpool's intensity in the middle of the park making the team less porous - especially when dealing with counter attacks.

© IMAGO - Mamadou Sangare Liverpool

But there's more to Sangare than just being a high-intensity disruptor.

He's a very technically elegant player. His first touch is always sublime and he's very good at making forward passes and carrying the ball forward.

He's comfortable in possession, including with his back to goal and he can be an asset in the build-up.

As a replacement for Mac Allister, playing him alongside Ryan Gravenberch or Dominik Szoboszlai would be a mouth-watering prospect. Especially with Florian Wirtz ahead of them.

Lens signed him for just €8m in the summer transfer window. They will make a huge profit on him, there is no doubt about that but they won't be demanding an excessive price.

That's why Sangare is the one for Liverpool. He can save the Reds' midfield and Richard Hughes won't even need to break the bank for him.