John Aldridge names Liverpool’s ‘transfer priority’ as Reds told to repeat game-changing 2018 trick

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Liverpool are expected to sign a new winger this summer, but former player John Aldridge thinks the Reds should have a different priority.After a disappointing 2025/26 season that ended with their joint-most Premier League losses since 2014/15, a number of problem areas have been exposed ahead of the summer transfer window opening up in June.While attacking reinforcements would make sense, it is actually a proper holding midfielder that Aldridge wants to see arrive at Anfield as a priority. You can only pick ONE player for Liverpool to sign this summer, who is it?

Who should Richard Hughes be targeting above all… Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones Liverpool told to sign a no.6 so Ryan Gravenberch can change rolesLiverpool’s midfield was called a big problem this past season by Wayne Rooney, and it is easy to see why.The position lacked any depth, leading to Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister playing the majority of minutes.But when speaking to the Liverpool Echo this week, Aldridge has suggested that Gravenberch is not a number six and should instead be played further forward once a new signing has been made.He pointed towards the previous addition of Fabinho in 2018, which helped turn Jurgen Klopp’s side into one of the best teams in England.Aldridge stated: “For me, the priority simply has to be a holding midfielder. I know that might not fit into Arne Slot’s overall vision of wanting progressive players in the centre of the park, but we need someone who is going to protect the back four.“Liverpool have almost always had one such player in their team.

Ryan Gravenberch is a good player but we’ve seen over the last 12 to 18 months that he isn’t a number six, and having one in the team would release him further upfield.”Steven Gerrard’s message to Ryan GravenberchThe claim that Gravenberch would be much better suited to playing further forward is not new and has been touted by Steven Gerrard previously.Gerrard revealed a private chat he had with the Liverpool midfielder earlier this season, in which he told the Dutchman he should be moved up the pitch.He said: “I remember speaking to [him], did an interview with Ryan and I said, ‘Mate, you’re an eight. You’re a box-to-box midfield player.’”Gerrard went on to, like Aldridge, express his desire for Liverpool to sign a proper defensive midfield.The Englishman continued: “I just like them to go out and go and get a real dominant defensive midfielder that can really help protect the back four a little bit more.”Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox