Didi Hamann names fringe player who will be key for Liverpool despite playing three Premier League minutes
Today at 06:52 AM
Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann revealed who he believes will become an unsung hero for the club over the coming months.
The Reds continued their impressive start to the season on Sunday as they came back to secure a 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
However, the subject of Liverpool‘s midfield once again became a talking point as Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones battled to find their rhythm during Sunday’s contest.
With the midfield far from its fluent best, Arne Slot’s side were forced to play more direct in their attempts to breach Arsenal’s patched-up backline.
On talkSPORT Breakfast, ex-Reds striker Dean Saunders acknowledged Liverpool have tremendous athletes in their midfield but questioned whether the trio of Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Jones offered the right balance.
Given Liverpool have lost once this season and remain perfect in the Champions League, Hamann believed Slot has got the balance ‘right’.
However, the former German international did not believe any of the trio that started against Arsenal can offer the defensive solidity required and predicted the need for a holding midfielder will grow as the season rolls on.
“I think Mac Allister is not the player, Curtis Jones certainly not because he nicked a couple of goals and is coming into his own now,” Hamann told talkSPORT.
“And Gravenberch is a player who likes to join in and can drive with the ball through midfield.
“But I think over the course of a season, I think you probably need one holding there to give your team balance, to give your team defensive stability.
“At the moment it works because what I’ve got to say about Liverpool is they haven’t really been playing well in the last few weeks.”
With the January window slowly approaching, it could be the opportune time for Liverpool to add a player of that profile.
However, Hamann pointed out the Reds have a more-than-capable replacement already in their ranks and tipped the individual to play an ‘important role’ over the coming months.
“The next four or five games I think we’ll find out more about the team,” Hamann said.
“But I think the manager is thinking as long as we get results, I think he’s reluctant to change it because if it’s working, why change it?
“But I feel that over the coming weeks and months when you get injuries and suspensions, I wouldn’t be surprised if [Wataru] Endo plays a more important role in the games leading up to Christmas.”
Endo has logged only three minutes of Premier League action this season having come on as a late substitute against Brentford, Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
The Japanese international’s only start came in the EFL Cup in Liverpool’s 5-1 demolition of West Ham.
Endo was a £16million arrival from VfB Stuttgart last season and made 44 appearances for the Reds across all competitions.
However, Endo has found it difficult to break into Slot’s preferred lineup and was linked with a move away in the summer amid Liverpool’s failed pursuit of Martin Zubimendi.
Endo even started in Liverpool’s first pre-season game against Real Betis but was taken off at half-time as Gravenberch, Jones and Szoboszlai overtook him in the pecking order.
Yet if Hamann’s predictions come true, the 31-year-old could prove to be a valuable presence for Slot as the fixtures pile up towards the end of the calendar year.
