With Liverpool cruising towards Premier League glory, it could prove tricky for Arne Slot to pick holes in his squad. However, the Reds may need to be brutal in their recruitment if they are to continue their challenge for silverware next season.
Roy Keane has already called for Liverpool to be bold in the transfer window, and if the higher powers at Anfield entertain such demands then it could spell bad news for some players, including Ryan Gravenberch.
The midfielder has solved the Reds’ midfield woes this season and looked undroppable at times with comfortable performances in Slot’s side. However, he may not be the long-term solution in the No. 6 role, and his displays in recent weeks have highlighted why.
The Netherlands international has endured a poor few months, in stark contrast to how he kickstarted the campaign, and his displays in Liverpool’s toughest moments have highlighted why the Reds could dip into the market for an alternative.
Gravenberch is more than capable of keeping play ticking and protecting his backline, but he can also slow his side down and frequently lacks the instinct to pull the strings in deeper areas, despite enjoying extended periods of the game under minimal pressure with the ball at his feet.
Liverpool highlighted the true profile of the player they want in the deeper midfield role when pursuing Martin Zubimendi previously, and they are likely to have similar alternatives on their shortlist of options.
Ex-Manchester United star Keane made it no secret that he felt there is clear room for improvement in the Merseyside outfit’s squad after Liverpool secured a 1-0 victory over Leicester City on Sunday. He said: “Of course, you’d be delighted with the way the season’s gone, champions with a few games to go, but you’d have to be critical of the squad and start looking where they can improve. Great news for Liverpool with the players staying on, big players, big boost for everybody, but they’ll certainly look at recruitment in the summer where they can get stronger.
“The key now for Liverpool is can they kick on and win the title again? That’s where you try and become a great team, win it three or four times like Manchester City have done. That’s all the challenges. Yes, you enjoy yourself, pat yourself on the back saying you’ve won the league but he’ll [Slot] certainly be looking with his staff in terms of recruitment how they can be stronger next season.”