The holding midfielder role is a bespoke one but if you get it right, they can make the game look so simple and really push your team to the next level.
Players like Sergio Busquets at Barcelona, Casemiro at Real Madrid, and now Rodri at Manchester City are just a few examples of how integral this position is to the success of the club, with former Liverpool player Xabi Alonso, previously saying: "If you have control of the midfield, you have control of the game."
After missing out on Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia, who both snubbed Liverpool for Chelsea, the Reds settled on Wataru Endo from VFB Stuttgart for just £16m - worlds apart from the £115m they were willing to pay for Caicedo.
Although the Japanese international has had a decent season and looks to be somewhat of a coup, at 31 years old, he is not going to be a long term option that take Liverpool to the next level.
They do have 19-year-old Stefan Bajčetić returning from injury and after an impressive first outing in the 2022/23 season, he could be the man to hold down this position, but a bit of competition an extra options would not go a miss.
So, with Arne Slot's reign at Liverpool beginning, let's take a look at who he could sign to lead his team forward in the heart of midfield.
-
Mats Wieffer - Feyenoord
Many would say that starting off at the club Slot has just departed is a lazy link and it is down to the relationship between the two and not the ability of the player. However, Mats Wieffer's performances this season would suggest this is just not true.
The 24-year-old has brought stability and control to Feyenoord, anchoring the team with his defensive prowess and forward-thinking. When he receives the ball, his excellent vision means he already has a solution, a trait that would stand him in good stead in the fast-paced environment of the Premier League.
He has a knack for intercepting passes, winning crucial duels and distributing it effectively, suiting Liverpool's high intensity and aggressive style of player - a tactic Slot will continue to use and was a driving force behind him getting the job.
Also, the fact he is young shows there is room for growth, perhaps not height wise as he already stands at 6'2, but in terms of his progression and scope to develop.
-
Éderson - Atalanta
Another Brazilian with the same name but not to be confused with the Manchester City goalkeeper, Éderson was one of the key reasons Liverpool got taken apart by Atalanta in the Europa League earlier this year.
Their man-to-man marking approach was too much for the Reds that day, but this tactic and partnership with Teun Koopmeiners has worked all season, with the Dutchman getting all the plaudits for his goals and assists, with Éderson being the engine that does all the 'dirty work'.
The Brazilian is one of the main reasons Atalanta won their first European trophy in their history and his ability to win the ball back and force opponents into mistakes, mixed with his physical capabilities, is why so many clubs are vying for his signature - with the Italian side valuing him at around £50m.
Newcastle and Tottenham are also looking to reinforce their midfield and want Éderson to be the man to do this, but with Liverpool playing Champions League football next season, they may just have the upper hand.
-
Alan Varela - FC Porto
Liverpool have been linked with Varela for quite some time now, before he joined Porto from Boca Juniors last summer in fact, but now they are said to be 'intensifying' their efforts to sign the Argentine and are open to paying his £60m release clause.
Perhaps because of his play style, but more than likely due to his nationality, Varela often gets compared to former Liverpool star Javier Mascherano, with his ball retention and progressive skills attracting attention from some of the best in Europe.
Manchester City and Bayern Munich are also interested in signing the 22-year-old, but while they will be able to offer him higher wages and the chance of competing for more trophies, Slot may have the upper hand but offering him more game time and the chance of becoming a key cog in a potential winning machine.
Described as a "Rolls-Royce" by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig, Varela could be the exact player Liverpool have been missing since Fabinho moved on and could certainly be Slot's first signing.
-
Aurelien Tchouameni - Real Madrid
One Liverpool fans are probably bored of hearing about and one that may seem far-fetched, but with big incomings this summer at the Bernabeu, including Kylian Mbappe, Madrid may be open to selling in order to balance the books.
Liverpool quite openly pursued Tchouameni for his signature back in 2022, but the then-Monaco midfielder rejected their advances in order to move to the Spanish giants - and who could really blame him.
However, now 24, the Frenchman already has bags of experience and if Madrid do choose to sell him, Liverpool and Bayern are reportedly waiting patiently to sign him.
He would mean breaking the bank, costing in excess of £80m, but after being admirers for so long, it could be a fitting ending to a drawn-out love story.
-
Joao Palhinha - Fulham
Finally on this list, and probably one of the top choices for many Liverpool fans, Palhinha has been linked with a move away from Fulham for quite some time now.
A shrewd signing for the West London club back in 2022, the Portuguese international cost them just £20m from Sporting CP, a figure they would have more than doubled last summer if Bayern Munich got the deal over the line, but negotiations collapsed due to the lack of time left for Fulham to find a replacement.
No player completed more tackles than Palhinha in the previous two campaigns, and with his proven quality in the Premier League, he would fit perfectly into Slot's midfield.
The player did refuse to completely rule out an exit this summer, but with a hefty rumoured price tag, combined with being almost 29 years old, Liverpool may be put off and opt for a younger and cheaper alternative.
