After the 3-1 defeat at the hands of Brentford earlier this week, it seems that Liverpool's season is already at a tipping point.
Jurgen Klopp's side may have won their four Premier League games prior to that fixture, but they did so in a fairly unimpressive manner. Their shortcomings eventually caught up with them at the Community Stadium where they were overpowered by their opponents in a number of aspects of the game.
Jamie Carragher perfectly summed up the team's main issue on Sky Sports afterwards:
I don't know what has happened to Liverpool in terms of midfield. Liverpool have bought one midfield player in four-and-a-half years in Thiago. It is coming back to haunt them now...
To allow a team that was competing for four trophies last season to be fighting for top four because the midfield has only had one signing in four years, they are absolutely running on fumes. How has it been allowed to happen?
They have signed Cody Gakpo. If Liverpool think they can make top four without signing a midfield player in this window they have got no chance.
Liverpool's midfield has been nothing short of a disaster this season. Not only are they lacking in numbers in that area, but those who are available look like they have essentially been run into the ground after a number of relentless seasons.
Fresh legs were needed during the summer and it is hardly believable that they did not sign another player in that position prior to the start of the season.
Many assumed that they would make a move for one this month, although reports have been mixed as to what their intentions actually are. Some claim that further deals are unlikely after the arrival of Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven.
Liverpool could be forced into transfer action by Chelsea
Moises Caicedo is one player that has been heavily linked with Liverpool over the last six months or so. It was said that they bid for the Brighton midfielder last summer, although those advances were rejected.
The Ecuador international is reported to be their top target once again this month, although it had been thought that the rumoured £70million placed on his head was an issue. It is unclear is owners FSG would sanction such a move during the January window.
However, they could be forced into a decision sooner rather than later after Chelsea entered the race for his signature. It is believed that Graham Potter's side are now considering a move for Caicedo this month after running into difficulties in their pursuit of Benfica's Enzo Fernandez.
Chelsea are reportedly interested in Brighton's Moises Caicedo.
That is according to the latest transfer gossip 👇#BBCFootball— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) January 5, 2023
Liverpool would then be left with a decision to make: move to sign the player now, or risk losing him to a rival.
It is something that we have seen on a couple of occasions in recent times.
This time last year, Liverpool were said to be lining up a move to Porto's Luis Diaz in the 2022 summer transfer window. That plan was scuppered by Spurs, who made the move for the winger in January and had agreed a deal to bring him to London. Ultimately, the club were forced to fork out to sign him in the winter window.
Last week, they made a pre-emptive move for Cody Gakpo before the turn of the year as they felt it would be more difficult to sign him as time went on, due to increased competition and possibly a higher price tag.
If Chelsea push hard for Moises Caicedo, recent history could repeat itself as Liverpool move up their move for the player.
In truth, it really should not come down to that. It is clear that The Reds are desperately in need of a new midfielder and a failure to sign one this would be pure negligence on behalf of the owners and decision makers at the club.
Liverpool have signed one senior midfielder in the last four years, with Thiago Alcantara's £20million move from Bayern Munich in 2020 the only addition they have made in that area. It is this neglect that has resulted in their poor form this season.
They can't afford to let it carry on for much longer.
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