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Former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders has urged Arne Slot to bring in a new midfielder who could become his version of Declan Rice after some strong form at the start of the season.
Against Inter Milan midweek, Ryan Gravenberch was among those to impress for Liverpool in the Champions League. But Slot's men will still need more reinforcements in 2026 to further bolster their ranks.
"The best players in the world never give the ball away," Saunders said. "That is what separates the best players from the rest. We saw Elliot Anderson at youth level, and also when he broke through in the Premier League, and he never gave the ball away.
"We still had to see if he could do it on the big stage, and he can. He never gives the ball away. When he is playing against the best players in the world, they can`t get the ball off him. When they press him, he just turns the other way.
"He passes the ball, moves and looks forward. The best players are always looking to go forward, and that is what he does. His football brain is amazing.
"He has to add some goals to his game, but he can play any position in that midfield. Number six, number eight, number 10. He is like Declan Rice. He can do a bit of everything.
"Gravenberch did well for Liverpool last season, but he is not up to the same level. Being in that position is an art where you have to think about the worst-case scenario and protect the backline all the time.
"You have to think about what could happen if Mohamed Salah loses the ball, or if Cody Gakpo makes a bad decision. N'Golo Kante could do it, he was the best one in my opinion.
"But I think Elliot Anderson could do it as well, so for me, he would be a perfect fit for the Liverpool team. In that position, you have to smell danger, and Liverpool are not doing that well in that aspect. But Elliot Anderson could go into any team in the world."
Anderson left Newcastle around 18 months ago when the Magpies needed to sell players to free up PSR room. Eddie Howe has spoken openly about wanting to re-sign him, with Manchester United also linked.
Central midfield is not the only area that Liverpool could target. "They really need a center-back," Saunders, speaking to Ace Odds, continued. "If you can’t defend set plays, then forget it.
"Forget winning anything. It’s the most basic form of defending. Joe Gomez made a difference at right-back but they need a center-back who can defend.
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"Look at Arsenal with Saliba and Gabriel. They’ve got the lot. Ibrahima Konate is having a tough time right now. The issue is Konate has gone from having Trent Alexander-Arnold alongside him to having Frimpong, Bradley or Szoboslai.
"Van Dijk is now playing with Milos Kerkez. If one player in the back line is having a bad game, you have no chance of winning.
"If you look back at Liverpool’s summer, we all thought Liverpool would win the league looking at who they’d signed. Alexander Isak was the signing that meant the league was done and dusted.
"I can’t believe what happened. It’s impossible for it to go that wrong but that’s football.
"They need to get some clean sheets as clean sheets build confidence. They need players who live and breathe clean sheets. Swallow your pride and get a clean sheet."
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