Liverpool’s New Midfield Trio: A Deep Dive into Roles, Control, and Performance

Liverpool’s midfield has undergone a significant transformation this season, with Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch forming a dynamic trio that combines control, threat, and athleticism. After three games, the Under Pressure podcast on Anfield Index provided an in-depth analysis of how this new midfield setup is performing and what it means for Liverpool’s style of play. This article explores the roles of these midfielders, their contributions to the team, and the concerns that may arise as the season progresses.

Evolving Roles in Liverpool’s Midfield

The roles of Liverpool’s midfielders have been fluid, adapting to the needs of each match. As Hamzah Khalique-Loonat noted, “It was interesting to see how Szoboszlai peeled a bit more to the left than usual, and Mac Allister was probably a bit deeper than we’ve seen in the other two matches in support of Gravenberch.” This flexibility has allowed Liverpool to maintain control while also posing a significant threat in the final third.

Mac Allister has taken on the role of a deep-lying playmaker, acting as a connector between the defense and attack. His ability to dictate the tempo and distribute the ball effectively has been crucial. Khalique-Loonat highlighted this, saying, “Mac Allister is expected to do a bit of everything but slightly further up… he’s still being that relief player, coming in deep, exchanging, allowing for the quick release.”

Szoboszlai, on the other hand, has been more involved in pressing and winning the ball back, leading to quick transitions. Simon Brundish pointed out, “We’ve scored three goals this season from Szoboszlai winning the ball back… and within three passes, we scored.” His athleticism and strength have made him an integral part of Liverpool’s high-pressing game.

Gravenberch’s role has been more variable, with a focus on both supporting the attack and maintaining defensive solidity. As Khalique-Loonat mentioned, “We still haven’t seen who’s the rotation option for Szoboszlai yet… Gravenberch tends to be a bit deeper usually for matches like this.”

Control, Threat and Athleticism: The Key Ingredients

One of the standout features of Liverpool’s new midfield trio is their ability to combine control, threat, and athleticism, a rare blend in modern football. As Simon Brundish explained, “This Midfield three… combined they have a minus 1.9 possession control combined over three games, which is nuts.” This statistic underscores their ability to maintain possession while also being effective in progressing the ball forward.

Szoboszlai’s passing accuracy has been particularly impressive, with a 93% completion rate despite playing in an advanced role. “How are you getting a 10 to have 4.7 Progressive passes per 90?” Brundish asked, highlighting Szoboszlai’s effectiveness in moving the ball into dangerous areas.

In terms of threat, Szoboszlai’s expected assists per 90 stand at an impressive 0.3, a figure that Brundish described as “incredibly good.” This ability to create chances from midfield is complemented by Mac Allister’s progressive passing, where he is only 0.1 behind Trent Alexander-Arnold, Liverpool’s top creator in this metric.

The athleticism of this trio also cannot be overlooked. Szoboszlai and Gravenberch have brought a new level of physicality to Liverpool’s midfield, while Mac Allister’s ability to hold off challenges and use his body effectively has added a different dimension. As Brundish noted, “Szoboszlai is an elite athlete, and Gravenberch is a very, very good athlete… Mac Allister is really hard to knock off the ball.”

Concerns and Future Challenges

While the current midfield trio has performed admirably, there are concerns about the lack of rotation and the potential impact of fatigue as the season progresses. “Mac Allister and Szoboszlai haven’t been subbed yet, and Gravenberch was only subbed after 91 minutes against Brentford,” Brundish pointed out, raising questions about whether this level of involvement is sustainable.

As Liverpool enters a more congested fixture period, the ability to rotate effectively will be crucial. Brundish expressed concern about the depth in midfield, saying, “Of course I’m worried… the guy I’d be least worried about dropping into there would be Curtis Jones because he has the attributes to just gel, mesh, sacrifice for the team.”

Despite these concerns, the early signs are positive. The midfield trio has shown they can control games, create chances, and provide the athleticism needed to compete at the highest level. The question remains whether they can maintain this form over a long and demanding season.

Midfield Built for Success

Liverpool’s new-look midfield has brought a fresh dynamic to the team, combining control, threat, and athleticism in a way that few teams can match. While there are concerns about rotation and the physical demands of the season, the early performances of Szoboszlai, Mac Allister and Gravenberch suggest that Liverpool has found a winning formula.

As the season progresses, the true test will be whether this trio can continue to perform at this level, especially when the fixtures start to pile up. For now, though, Liverpool fans can be excited about what this midfield can achieve.