They haven't learned: Liverpool plan incredible €85m mistake | OneFootball

Liverpool are set to make a big mistake. One that could cost them an incredible €85m.

Liverpool's midfield is not good enough. They do a lot of things well but as a combined unit? It's quite plainly a weak point that costs them game to game.

The primary problem is that none of them are particularly good at defending. Liverpool have built their group entirely from attacking midfielders - it's the preferred position for Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones.

That can be seen in the statistics coming out of the 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Sunday. The Blues, on the back of six straight defeats, had the majority of possession at Anfield.

Despite that, they also had the majority of the tackles. A significant majority, too - 20 to Liverpool's 10.

Gravenberch, the deeper of Liverpool's midfielders, had just two in the match. Mac Allister had one. Moises Caicedo managed four.

But those numbers aren't actually low for the Reds' pairing. Both, quite incredibly, average 1.74 tackles per 90 minutes in the Premier League this season - so one having 2 and the other having 1 is exactly on par.

The Reds have no bite in the middle. No way to consistently win the ball back and teams know they can drive through the middle of the pitch with reasonable success.

Which is why it seems insane that Liverpool are looking at a big-money move for Victor Froholdt. He's a fantastic player but another attacking midfielder.

Liverpool desperately need someone who can win the ball consistently in midfield. Someone teams try to avoid. Instead, they look likely to double down on their attacking midfield plan - one that isn't even remotely working.

Ryan Gravenberch: Situation Summary

Liverpool Performance and Stats

As of 10 May 2026, Ryan Gravenberch remains a fundamental part of Liverpool’s engine room, though his form has fluctuated compared to his award-winning 2024/25 campaign. The 23-year-old has made 48 appearances this season, recording six goals and six assists across all competitions. Most recently, he scored the opening goal in a 1–1 draw against Chelsea on 9 May, earning a 7.4 FotMob rating. Despite his offensive contributions, Gravenberch has faced criticism for "lethargic" defensive displays in the "number six" role, particularly during April's Champions League exit to PSG.

Contract and Future

In a major show of faith, Gravenberch signed a new six-year contract on 7 March 2026, tying him to Anfield until 2032. The deal, reportedly worth £277,000 per week, reflects his status as one of Europe’s premier young midfielders.

International Standing

Gravenberch is a "guaranteed" selection for Ronald Koeman’s Netherlands squad for the 2026 World Cup this June, despite recent public criticism from the manager regarding his defensive discipline.