Jamie Carragher points to a Liverpool star with a “what’s the point” comment, sharing his biggest concern.
Jamie Carragher has shared his biggest worry for Andoni Iraola and hinted at some concerns about a Liverpool star.
Even though Liverpool welcomed new players like Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Munoz, and loanee Ronald Araujo this summer, they’re still missing strength in a few areas on the pitch. Curtis Jones is still linked with a move to Inter, and key players like Joe Gomez, Stefan Bajcetic, Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike, Giovanni Leoni, and Jacquet are injured. This leaves Iraola with a defensive headache, as Virgil van Dijk was the only fully fit first-team defender until Araujo joined last week.
The team also feels the absence of Andrew Robertson, Mohamed Salah, and Ibrahima Konate, with no clear replacements yet. Even though Liverpool are chasing Paris Saint-Germain’s winger Bradley Barcola, their defense still lacks depth.
Carragher, a former Liverpool captain, thinks Iraola should also focus on strengthening the midfield, sharing his thoughts on the current trio—Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
“The midfield is still a big problem for Liverpool,” Carragher said on the Overlap Fan Debate, brought to you by Sky Bet. “From what I’ve seen, especially in the last two preseason games against Leeds and Monaco, there’s space everywhere in Liverpool’s midfield—that problem hasn’t gone away. It might even get bigger with Szoboszlai playing more centrally alongside Gravenberch, working box to box.”
He added, “When I look at those three midfielders, I get worried. They’re all good players, but they all want to be very active and run a lot, which leaves space in the middle.”
Carragher also said he’d like Liverpool to bring in a “passer” and a “destroyer” in midfield and feels confused about Mac Allister’s role. “What’s the point of Mac Allister if he’s not the passer? He’s supposed to sit in midfield and control the game. Gravenberch isn’t a complete midfielder either—not like Moises Caicedo. Liverpool really need that kind of player, not just as a starter but as cover in case of injury. It’s worrying if the central midfield options are just Mac Allister and Szoboszlai.”
Last season, Mac Allister made 55 appearances, scoring five goals and setting up seven more. However, he didn’t quite hit the same high level as in Liverpool’s 2024/25 title-winning campaign with Arne Slot’s team. Mac Allister also played every game as Argentina reached the World Cup final.
Liverpool keep getting ready for the new season with a friendly against Serie A side Como at Anfield on Sunday, August 16. Then, they kick off their Premier League campaign with a trip to Newcastle United on August 23.