Liverpool's Transfer Strategy Under Scrutiny: Sturridge's Concerns
Daniel Sturridge has thrown the spotlight on Liverpool’s transfer strategy after seeing the same old flaw exposed within minutes of the new season.
Old Problem, New Era
New head coach Andoni Iraola was supposed to mark a fresh start after Arne Slot, but Liverpool’s 2026/27 Premier League campaign began with a very familiar sight: cut open on the counter.
At St. James’ Park, Newcastle needed only a few minutes to punish them. Ryan Gravenberch lost the ball on the edge of the home side’s box and, in a flash, Liverpool were ripped apart from one end of the pitch to the other. Anthony Elanga finished the move, but the damage had started much earlier — in midfield.
Liverpool did rally. Cody Gakpo struck early in the second half to level, hinting at a shift in momentum. It didn’t last.
Once again, Newcastle broke through transition. Once again, Liverpool’s midfield offered little resistance. This time Joe Willock, off the bench, arrived to restore the lead and underline the problem.
Deep into stoppage time, Victor Munoz won a contentious penalty after a foul by Lewis Hall, and Dominik Szoboszlai showed ice-cold nerve from the spot to snatch a 2-2 draw. The point felt big in the moment.
Sturridge’s verdict: it shouldn’t.
Sturridge: Where Is the Destroyer?
Speaking on Sky Sports after the game, the former Liverpool striker went straight for the heart of the issue — and the heart of the team.
"I think the team needs a defensive midfielder, personally," he said. "We've been talking about a defensive midfielder at Liverpool for the last three years and I think Gravenberch coming in and winning the league changed that philosophy."
The title win with Gravenberch had shifted thinking. But, Sturridge argued, not the reality of the squad.
"If you actually analyze the midfield, they're all naturally more attacking players," he continued.
That is where Mamadou Sangare comes in.
Sangare Question Hangs Over Liverpool
Brentford picked up Sangare this summer for around £39 million ($52 million). For a mid-table club, that is a statement signing. For Liverpool, Sturridge suggested, it should have been a no-brainer consideration.
"The stats jump out on the page," he said. "They are third in interceptions, third in tackles, third in possession recovered. For me, £39 million, you think to yourself, that's not a load of money for someone like Liverpool."
He was careful not to claim Sangare as the definitive answer.
"I'm not suggesting he was the man, but the stats jump out the page. Liverpool don't have that profile of player right now."
That profile — the destroyer, the ball-winner, the shield — is exactly what he believes Iraola’s side are missing.
No Fear Factor in the Middle
Sturridge praised young Trey Nyoni, but again circled back to the same theme.
"Trey Nyoni, I really like him, but he's more of a ball playing eight," he said. "He's not a destroyer and won't strike fear in the opposition, like a Sangare can. Or an N'Golo Kante over the years."
It was not just about the holding role either. Sturridge also hinted that Liverpool might not be getting the best out of one of their marquee talents.
"I also think, if I'm being honest, [Dominik] Szoboszlai is better as a no.10."
So Liverpool have attacking eights, a creator who thrives higher up, and a teenager more suited to dictating than destroying. What they do not have, in Sturridge’s eyes, is the player who stops counters before they start.
The late penalty in Newcastle masked the scoreline. It did not mask the pattern. And unless Liverpool move decisively for that missing profile, how many more times will the same story play out this season?
