Liverpool to pursue wingers over midfielder despite Carragher's urgent warning

Liverpool will not sign a central midfielder before the summer transfer window closes on September 1, instead directing their remaining budget toward attacking wide players — a decision that puts the club at odds with former defender Jamie Carragher’s pointed public plea.

The Reds opened their Premier League season with a 2-2 draw at St James’ Park on Sunday, where Dominic Szoboszlai’s stoppage-time penalty salvaged a point after Newcastle’s Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock had put Andoni Iraola’s side on the back foot. The manner of the goals — both stemming from rapid transitions through Liverpool’s midfield — prompted Carragher to raise immediate concerns about the squad’s defensive structure in the centre of the pitch.

Despite selling Curtis Jones to Inter Milan for £25.7 million (plus £4.3 million in add-ons), Liverpool are not planning to reinvest that fee in a midfielder. According to The Athletic, the club believe 19-year-old academy graduate Trey Nyoni — who has made 20 first-team appearances — is ready to take on a bigger role. Fellow midfielder James McConnell is also expected to depart on loan to the Championship to trim the numbers in that area of the squad.

Instead, Liverpool’s focus is on Brighton winger Yankuba Minteh and Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola. The club have already added defenders Jeremy Jacquet and Ronald Araujo, along with winger Victor Munoz, during this transfer window.

Carragher, speaking after the Newcastle draw, was unambiguous in his assessment. “Liverpool need someone alongside Gravenberch,” he said. “It doesn’t necessarily need to be a player who can’t get on the ball — if you play for one of the top teams in the world, you need to be able to get hold of the ball. But I want someone who can run.”

The former Liverpool centre-back also questioned where Szoboszlai fits in Iraola’s system, particularly with Florian Wirtz at the club. “I’ve always seen this coming,” Carragher said. “When people are saying Wirtz has got to go to No 10, that means Szoboszlai’s got to be in the team — and he’s not a central midfield player. It didn’t work last season. Liverpool conceded 78 goals, 53 in the Premier League — the most they’ve ever conceded in the Premier League. And all of a sudden it’s all about buying wingers?”

Liverpool’s decision to press ahead with wide reinforcements suggests the club’s hierarchy sees the midfield situation differently, at least for now. Whether Nyoni can fill the gap Carragher has identified will become clearer as the season progresses.