According to reports from English media, former Liverpool player Sturridge has questioned the club's transfer activities, arguing that there are clear potential risks in the midfield.

Former Liverpool player Daniel Sturridge has questioned why the club did not pursue midfielder Mamadou Sangare in the summer, who joined Brentford for a relatively low transfer fee. After the 2024/25 Premier League season began, Liverpool's current squad structure revealed serious issues. Liverpool changed manager in the summer, with Andoni Iraola replacing Arne Slot, but in their opening away match against Newcastle United, the team was still plagued by familiar problems.

The match took place at St. James' Park, and just minutes into the game, Liverpool conceded, directly from a counterattack. Gravenberch lost the ball just outside Newcastle's penalty area, and the home side quickly advanced up the pitch, piercing straight through Liverpool's defense to score through Anthony Elanga. Shortly after the second half began, Gakpo equalized for Liverpool, but Newcastle quickly took the lead again. Iraola's side exposed weaknesses in their transitions between attack and defense, with substitute Joe Willock scoring the goal.

In stoppage time, Liverpool avoided defeat thanks to a favorable penalty decision. Harvey Elliott was fouled by Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall inside the penalty box, and Dominik Szoboszlai calmly converted the penalty. However, in Sturridge's view, this result cannot hide the underlying problems. The former Liverpool player highlighted the lack of control in midfield as the most concerning aspect and questioned why the club allowed suitable candidates to join other teams at reasonable transfer fees.

Sturridge said on Sky Sports' post-match show: "I personally think the team needs a defensive midfielder. Over the last three years, we've talked about Liverpool needing a defensive midfielder. Then Gravenberch joined and helped the team win the title, and the thinking changed."

"But if you analyze the midfield closely, you'll see they naturally tend toward more attacking play. For example, Brentford signed Mamadou Sangare."

"The statistics are very impressive. He ranks third in interceptions, third in tackles, and third in ball recoveries. In my view, the £39 million transfer fee, or roughly $52 million, is not expensive for a club like Liverpool."

"I'm not saying he's definitely the answer, but those statistics speak volumes. Liverpool currently don't have this type of player. I really like Trey Nyoni, but he's more of an number 8 playmaking midfielder."

"He's not a defensive midfielder who can press opponents like Sangare, or a ball-winning player like N'Golo Kante has been for many years. Honestly, I also think Szoboszlai is better suited to playing in the number 10 position."

Although Curtis Jones recently left to join Inter Milan, Liverpool does not appear to be prioritizing strengthening the midfield in the final week of the transfer window. The club seems more focused on bolstering the attack, with wingers such as Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye, and Yankuba Minteh linked with moves to Anfield.

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