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Beth Lindop
After an hour of determined attempts, it took three players from Liverpool to finally breach Real Madrid‘s defense. The reigning Premier League champions had struggled to find the net during their UEFA Champions League matchup at Anfield, consistently thwarted by the stellar goalkeeping of Thibaut Courtois.
As the match began to feel like one of those challenging nights for Liverpool, Ryan Gravenberch earned a free kick close to the opponent’s box. Dominik Szoboszlai delivered an enticing cross, allowing Alexis Mac Allister to head the ball expertly past Courtois, securing a critical lead for the home team.
This goal turned out to be the match-winner, as Liverpool claimed a 1-0 victory, propelling them into the top eight of the Champions League standings. Following a rough patch where they lost six out of seven matches across competitions, this win against the LaLiga leaders marked their second victory in just days, after a 2-0 success against Aston Villa in the Premier League the previous weekend.
The link between these two matches? A return to the midfield trio that characterized their title-winning season: Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, and Mac Allister, all of whom performed exceptionally well against both Villa and Madrid.
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It was fitting that the trio combined for the winning goal against Alonso’s team, considering their skills and efforts have been pivotal in Liverpool’s resurgence. Previously struggling with balance, the Reds have looked considerably more solid with their core midfield restored, while £100 million summer signing Florian Wirtz thrived in a more forward position against Madrid.
“In the middle, [Liverpool] were outstanding,” remarked former Liverpool defender Steve Nicol on the ESPN FC show. “Mac Allister, Gravenberch, and Szoboszlai all shone. Szoboszlai was world-class in the first half, and Arne Slot got his tactics right by allowing Wirtz to express himself in a roaming role. It created an ideal situation for Liverpool.”
After months of adjusting his lineup, it seems Slot has returned to the successful formula of last season. But why did it take so long for the Liverpool manager to revert to basics? Could the revival of a familiar midfield be the key to turning their season around? Has the Wirtz signing “disrupted” Liverpool’s midfield?
Just before the match against Madrid, legendary ex-Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger didn’t hold back in his critique of Liverpool’s recent difficulties, attributing some of their struggles to Slot’s attempts to fit the expensive newcomer Wirtz into the lineup.
“When Wirtz chose between Liverpool and Bayern Munich, he insisted on playing No 10 and not wide,” Wenger stated to beIN Sports. “To secure him, Liverpool fell into the trap of disrupting their midfield – which had been Gravenberch, Mac Allister, and Szoboszlai.”
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Slot: An impressive win over an incredible Real Madrid side
Arne Slot praises Liverpool’s performance, especially Conor Bradley, following their crucial win over Real Madrid.
While it may seem tough on Wirtz, who has generally performed at a level expected of a talented young player adjusting to a new league, his substantial transfer fee has drawn significant scrutiny. He has had moments of struggle with the physical demands of English football. The manager’s choice to leave him out of two of Liverpool’s pivotal matches – against Chelsea and Manchester United – indicates a recognition of Wirtz’s challenges, particularly showcased during a 3-2 loss to Brentford last month.
“Coming from a different league, which is very good in its own right, it’s commonly accepted that the Premier League is more intense, especially with its demand for performance,” Slot said of the German player this week. “He has made great contributions but has been a bit unlucky in terms of results, whether by his own actions or those of teammates. He is living up to our expectations of creativity, and while goals will come, it’s understood that for someone 22 or 23 transitioning to a different league, adjusting to the frequency and intensity is not easy.”
However, Wirtz isn’t Liverpool’s only midfield concern this season. Mac Allister, who rightfully earned a spot in last year’s PFA Team of the Year, has also faced struggles with form and fitness. After an injury cut his 2024-25 season short, the Argentina international has had a disrupted preseason and appears to be catching up, having only completed a full 90 minutes once this season (against Villa).
“It’s true the start of the season wasn’t what I wanted; it’s been a bit challenging,” Mac Allister told Prime Video Sport on Tuesday. “But now that I’m hitting my rhythm, I just wanted to play consecutively, so I’m glad to have played against Villa and again today.”
Gravenberch has also faced injury woes this season, sidelined for three games due to an ankle issue suffered in a 2-1 loss against Manchester United. Liverpool’s right-back challenges have affected the midfield setup, with Szoboszlai often pressed into defensive duty for Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong. Although Szoboszlai has adapted well defensively, Liverpool has missed his attacking spark, with the frequent changes in personnel leaving the team looking unsettled. The “outstanding” Szoboszlai and Gravenberch play vital roles in the resurgence.
A key to Liverpool’s success last season was the stability in midfield, where Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, and Mac Allister started 28 of 56 competitive matches. The chemistry between them was evident in their performances against Villa and Madrid, contributing to a more fluid style, especially with Szoboszlai showcasing his exceptional abilities. Despite Liverpool’s season-long struggles, Szoboszlai has emerged as a standout player, displaying leadership and skill worthy of his national team captaincy since 2022.
“He has an exceptional football intellect,” Zsolt Székely, academy director at Szoboszlai’s former club MTK Budapest, remarked to ESPN in February. “His technique is incredible. When he plays, others look to pass to him. He has always sought the ball. His long-standing passion for football is evident; he literally lived for it.”
This relentless ambition has established Szoboszlai as an essential player for Liverpool this season. In the match against Madrid, he led in shots on target (five), passes (40), and crosses (three), coming second in touches (55), with Slot praising his off-ball contributions in the last two games, claiming it exceeded his already high standards.
2:40
A positive update on Alexander Isak’s fitness ahead of the Manchester City match.
Gravenberch has also distinguished himself this season, increasingly becoming one of Europe’s top holding midfielders, marking one of Slot’s standout achievements as manager.
“We feel that God sent Arne to Liverpool,” said Gravenberch’s father, Ryan Gravenberch Sr. “His Dutch background helps him communicate effectively with Ryan. His main message has always been clear: as long as Ryan maintains his performance, he will have plenty of playing opportunities.”
While some might argue that Liverpool lacks a more disruptively aggressive midfielder, Gravenberch’s ability to progress play from deep is crucial to Slot’s tactics, and he has also contributed offensively this season, scoring three goals after netting four in his first 87 games for the club.
“Playing together consistently enhances our development.”
Nonetheless, Liverpool still needs to demonstrate they are fully back on track. The victory over Madrid was significant, but it will lose its value if Slot’s team doesn’t follow it up with a strong outing against Manchester City. After the impressive display in midweek, it seems likely that Slot will retain the same starting XI at the Etihad, considering that Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, and Mac Allister excelled in this match-up last season.
“I don’t know if the focus should solely be on these three midfielders,” Slot commented regarding the trio in a pre-match press conference. “It’s true that I haven’t been able to play them together often this season due to injuries. It’s vital that we can eventually field stable lineups to build continuity.”
Clearly, the sense of rhythm and consistency has aided Slot’s side in recent matches. If this midfield trio can continue to perform at such high levels against City, this week could signify a pivotal moment in Liverpool’s season.