Steven Gerrard Warns Liverpool Needs Specialist Holding Midfielder

Steven Gerrard has fired a pointed warning at Liverpool’s hierarchy, insisting Andoni Iraola’s new-look side is fatally short of one key ingredient – a specialist holding midfielder.

The former captain, now a prominent voice on TNT Sports, believes the failure to properly replace Fabinho has left a structural flaw that could undermine Iraola’s first season at Anfield.

Speaking before Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Nottingham Forest, Gerrard did not soften his verdict on the current midfield setup.

"There's one area that hasn't really had much focus, only really in the last week since the Newcastle game. I believe they need a specialist in the No. 6 position, that's my opinion," he said.

That Newcastle game is driving his concern. Liverpool escaped St James’ Park with a 2-2 draw, but the scoreline masked a recurring problem. Each time they lost the ball in the middle third, they looked exposed. Newcastle repeatedly sliced through them on the counter, dragging the game into chaos and forcing Liverpool to chase back towards their own goal.

For Gerrard, that is not a one-off warning sign. It is a symptom of a missing piece.

He argued that a true defensive midfielder would not only plug gaps but also unlock the full potential of Liverpool’s more attacking options.

"I think that position's been sorely missed, I don't think they've got a specialist in that position," he explained. "That can allow your [Dominik] Szoboszlai's and your [Ryan] Gravenberch's and your [Alexis] Mac Allister's to go and join attacks, to make the back four secure. I think they miss that position badly."

It is a blunt assessment, and it lands at a delicate time for Iraola.

The Spaniard has walked into a club that has already spent heavily. Under Arne Slot, Liverpool sanctioned around £250m on a sweeping rebuild, bringing in Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez, Jeremie Frimpong and young defender Giovanni Leoni. It was supposed to fuel a title defence.

It didn’t.

That record outlay failed to deliver another Premier League crown, and Slot paid with his job. Iraola now inherits a squad full of talent but still carrying old questions, while also absorbing the loss of major figures. Ibrahima Konate, Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson have all left on free transfers, stripping away experience and leadership from the spine of the team.

The sense of imbalance is exactly what Gerrard is circling.

Yet his criticism of the midfield came with a contrasting note when he turned to the centre-back department. There, at least, he sees progress in pure numbers.

"I think in terms of numbers now, they're better than they were last year," he said. "Konate has moved on, we wish him luck, he's done a great job. We've now got four or five centre-backs, so volume, I think they're secure. I think the key is: is Jacquet going to be good enough?"

That is the pivot point for Liverpool’s season. Iraola appears to have bodies at the back and flair further forward. What he does not have, in Gerrard’s eyes, is the anchor to bind it all together.

Liverpool have gambled before on evolving without a traditional No. 6. Gerrard’s warning suggests this version of the experiment might not last long if the cracks keep showing on days like Newcastle away.