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Liverpool boss Arne Slot has clarified that the Reds have options in the holding midfield role even if they fail to sign a player in that position this summer. With Wataru Endo seemingly the only natural option in that area, the Merseysiders have been linked with numerous defensive midfielders this summer.
Most recently, Liverpool were rumored to want Joshua Kimmich at the club, with the Bayern Munich star's current agreement expiring next year (via The Hard Tacke). Even if they fail to make such a signing, Slot believes that the likes of Endo and Ryan Gravenberch will be able to cover the role.
Speaking about this, Slot said (via @LFCTransferRoom):
"I think Ryan (Gravenberch) did really well in that position (vs Man Utd) and we have other options as well."
Most recently, the Netherlands international featured in this position in the Reds' 3-0 pre-season friendly win against Manchester United on Saturday (August 3). However, he wasn't used as a defensive midfielder by Jurgen Klopp during the 2023/24 season.
The 22-year-old former Bayern Munich star played in a box-to-box role and made 39 appearances across competitions, bagging four goals and two assists. Of course, Alexis Mac Allister can also be deployed as a number six, but the Argentine's best position seems to be in a more advanced area.
It will be interesting to see which other players Slot deploys in this position before Liverpool get their Premier League season underway against Ipswich Town on August 17.
Fabrizio Romano says Liverpool are interested in midfield signings this summer
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano claims that Liverpool will begin concrete talks to sign midfield players this transfer window. However, he failed to clarify whether this would be in the defensive midfield position.
As for attacking players, the Reds already possess the likes of Curtis Jones, Alexis Mac Allister, and Hervey Elliott, among others. Speaking on his Playback channel, Romano said (via Rousing the Kop):
"What I can tell you is that in the next days I expect them to accelerate. I expect them to enter into concrete talks to activate some options. They are looking at some players in the midfield."
Dominik Szoboszlai is another option to play in defensive midfield, something that the Hungarian did in his side's friendly 2-1 win against Arsenal (July 31). The Merseysiders' next pre-season encounter is with Sevilla on Sunday (August 11).
