Rodri now says two former Liverpool players would make up part of his 'ultimate midfielder'
Yesterday at 08:00 AM
Liverpool’s midfield has been the source of much debate during the early weeks of the season.
The Reds famously reupholstered the entirety of their options in the middle of the pitch during the 2023 summer transfer window.
And although they have since tried – and failed – to add Martin Zubimendi to that, the four players brought to Anfield by Jurgen Klopp last year have turned out to be hugely successful.
Ryan Gravenberch has earned plaudits for his role in one of the two deeper lying positions, although some Liverpool supporters would no doubt still like to see their club go big on a player like Man City’s Rodri.
Rodri has emerged as the world’s leading defensive midfielder over recent years, often proving – more indirectly than directly – to be Liverpool’s nemesis while scooping up trophies with City.
The Spaniard is that good that he could even win this year’s Ballon d’Or. But while Rodri continues his relentless streak of form, the 28-year-old has now tipped his hat to two Liverpool legends.
Rodri name-checks Steven Gerrard and Xabi Alonso
Having seen the way Slot wants his midfield to play, it is arguable whether Liverpool now really need a ‘destroyer’ type defensive midfielder to tie things together.
Certainly, Zubimendi is not really that kind of player, although the Real Sociedad man did replace Rodri effectively during this summer’s European Championship final.
Nevertheless, there’s no getting away from the fact that Rodri is the blueprint right now. When the City man talks about midfielders, the world listens.
So, it was interesting to see him sit down with ESPN UK to build his ‘ultimate midfielder’ based on key attributes for the position.
Inevitably, this fantastical midfielder has a heavily Spanish feel to it. Rodri picks Sergio Busquets for ‘passing’, Xavi for ‘vision’, Andres Iniesta for ‘skills’ and Busquets again for ‘football IQ’.
READ MORE: Alan Shearer shares how he feels Liverpool’s midfield performed against AC Milan
One more Spaniard also made his way in there, with Rodri naming former Liverpool man Xabi Alonso as the best midfielder for ‘creativity’.
While we rather think Alonso may have been a better choice for ‘passing’, there’s little arguing with Rodri’s choice for ‘mentality.’
Despite the little rivalry that has developed between City and Liverpool, the former Atletico Madrid man does not pay that any mind here, naming the iconic Steven Gerrard as his choice.
Casemiro for ‘work rate’ and Kevin De Bruyne’s ‘technique’ complete the player.
Who would be the ‘ultimate’ Liverpool midfielder
Rodri’s choices had us wondering who would make up this player but picked solely from Liverpool midfielders.
For ‘mentality’ we’re going to free Gerrard up and stick James Milner in there, while we’d also switch Alonso to cover ‘passing.’
We’d pick Jordan Henderson for ‘work rate,’ with the underrated Yossi Benayoun winning out in the ‘creativity’ stakes.
In terms of ‘football IQ,’ we can’t really look past Alexis Mac Allister, while Adam Lallana is a fine shout to fill the ‘technique’ spot.
Leaving just ‘vision’ and ‘skills,’ we’d put Gerrard in the former and Philippe Coutinho in the latter. Other good candidates miss out, but that would be some player.
