Liverpool must snap up a No 6 or risk wasting £100m on Florian Wirtz

Liverpool appear ready to spend over £100m on French winger Bradley Barcola as a Mo Salah replacement, yet the club’s midfield remains exposed after a glaring lack of a true No 6 in the recent Newcastle defeat, a problem that new boss Andoni Iraola must solve at Anfield.

The £100m winger gamble

Bradley Barcola, described as a French wonder winger, is on the verge of joining Liverpool for a fee that could top £100m. LEWIS STEELE, writing for FOOTBALL on 29 August, warned that the signing will not plug the defensive gap that has haunted the Reds.

Why a true No 6 matters

The absence of a specialist No 6 was stark at Newcastle last week, where Liverpool’s centre‑park was repeatedly exposed. Snap up a proper defensive midfielder, fans and pundits argue, to provide the screen and dirty‑work that the current set‑up lacks.

Past attempts and current options

Since Fabinho’s departure in 2023, Liverpool have chased Romeo Lavia of Southampton and Moises Caicedo of Brighton, only to see both move to Chelsea. A stop‑gap in Wataru Endo arrived from Stuttgart on deadline day, but at 33 he is not a long‑term solution.

Florian Wirtz as an unpalatable option

Florian Wirtz arrived for £116m last year, a price that makes him a costly alternative to a true No 6. While his attacking talent is undeniable, the fee and his role suggest he cannot be the defensive anchor Liverpool need.

Iraola tells Liverpool forwards to exhaust themselves at Anfield

Re‑shaping the full‑backs

Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have struggled in traditional full‑back roles. Converting them into wing‑backs could free up space for a midfield pivot, but the tactical shift remains speculative.

Youth alternatives

Academy graduate Trey Nyoni impressed in pre‑season, earning praise after a 21‑minute Premier League cameo last term. James McConnell, back from injury after a loan spell at Ajax, also offers a home‑grown option.

Iraola’s broader plan

THE IRAOLA process emphasises front‑foot football and trusts that the squad can adapt without a marquee signing. He points to past successes with players like Antoine Semenyo and Milos Kerkez as evidence of his developmental approach.

The contrast between splashing £100m on a winger and the modest cost of securing a genuine No 6 highlights Liverpool’s dilemma: a big‑ticket signing will not cure a midfield that has been exposed at St James' Park, while a focused recruitment or promotion from within could restore balance.