Liverpool boss Arne Slot may already have the perfect alternative for Ryan Gravenberch within his squad, which could save the club millions.
Liverpool’s Midfield Solution: Gravenberch’s Rise and the Search for a No. 6
When Arne Slot took over from Jurgen Klopp, one of the biggest questions surrounding Liverpool was their midfield structure. Many fans and pundits believed the Reds needed a natural defensive midfielder to compete with Arsenal and Manchester City.
Liverpool’s Pursuit of Zubimendi
Liverpool identified Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi as their top target, but the Spaniard ultimately rejected a move to Anfield, choosing to stay in La Liga. Instead of pursuing other defensive midfielders, Slot opted to adapt his existing squad.
Gravenberch’s Unexpected Transformation
Slot’s bold decision to deploy Ryan Gravenberch in a deeper role has proven to be a masterstroke. The 22-year-old Dutchman has embraced the responsibility and developed into one of the Premier League’s standout midfielders this season.
Do Liverpool Still Need a Defensive Midfielder?
Despite Gravenberch’s impressive displays, many fans still believe Liverpool should bring in a specialist No. 6 as an alternative. However, the ideal solution could already be at Anfield, with Slot possibly grooming Gravenberch into a long-term defensive midfield leader.
Whether Liverpool stick with Gravenberch or pursue another midfield addition, Slot’s tactical flexibility has ensured the Reds remain competitive at the highest level.
James McConnell: Liverpool’s Ideal Backup for Ryan Gravenberch?
With Liverpool’s qualification for the Champions League last 16 already secured, Arne Slot took the opportunity to rotate his squad against PSV Eindhoven. As a result, several fringe players and youngsters were given a chance to impress—including James McConnell, who started in central midfield and played the full 90 minutes.
McConnell’s Standout Performance
The 20-year-old midfielder delivered an outstanding display, making:
- More tackles than any other Liverpool player,
- Three ball recoveries,
- Three interceptions,
- And showing great composure in possession with sharp passing.
His performance was so impressive that it reportedly led to Slot reconsidering his immediate future at the club.
The Perfect Backup for Gravenberch?
With Gravenberch excelling in a deeper midfield role, many fans have called for Liverpool to sign a backup defensive midfielder. However, McConnell’s performance suggests that Liverpool may already have the perfect alternative within the squad.
If Slot continues to develop McConnell, he could emerge as a key squad player—providing depth and competition in the midfield while allowing Liverpool to focus on strengthening other areas in the summer transfer window.
McConnell Set for More First-Team Chances at Liverpool
After his impressive display against PSV Eindhoven, James McConnell has earned the trust of Arne Slot, who confirmed that the young midfielder will not be loaned out for the rest of the season.
Slot’s Praise for McConnell
Speaking after the match, Slot highlighted McConnell’s competitiveness in training and his ability to step up at the highest level:
“There’s definitely one that will not go out on loan: James McConnell. I liked him a lot today. Maybe the end result today would be good for him to go and play (elsewhere), but he is a player who hasn’t played a lot in the last six or seven months as he was injured for a while. He impressed me a lot today.
“He is competitive in training sessions, always very competitive. I’m not surprised (by his performance), but you always wonder how a player will react at this level. James plays and is competitive. He definitely deserves credit for his performance today.”
A Bigger Role in Liverpool’s Midfield?
With Liverpool opting not to sign a defensive midfielder in January, McConnell’s development could provide valuable squad depth for the remainder of the season. Slot’s comments suggest that the 20-year-old will continue to be part of the first-team setup, potentially getting more game time in both domestic and European competitions.
McConnell’s rise is another example of Liverpool’s youth development pipeline producing first-team-ready talent, and fans will be eager to see how he continues to progress under Slot’s guidance.
