The heavy spending conducted at Liverpool over recent years has only heightened the expectations of the supporters in their desire to secure Premier League glory.
Andoni Iraola has been tasked with leading the Reds a step closer towards their ambitions, but there’s no denying work still needs to be done if the club are to be genuine title contenders.
Sunday’s showing against defending champions Arsenal was evidence of exactly that, as Iraola’s men failed to register a single shot on target despite being on top for the majority of the contest.
The attacking department will no doubt receive the vast majority of the criticism for the inability to secure victory, but it will no doubt allow one player to get off the hook amid his recent struggles.
Why Gravenberch is on borrowed time at Liverpool
During the title-winning campaign in 2024/25, midfielder Ryan Gravenberch became a vital cog within Liverpool’s senior ranks alongside Alexis Mac Allister.
The Dutchman, who arrived for £34m in the summer of 2023, featured 37 times in the league during the aforementioned campaign, but he’s been unable to hit such heights since.
The 2026/27, in particular, has been a struggle for the 24-year-old, with his stats making for pretty grim reading after the first nine league games of the campaign.
Gravenberch has only started 44% of the club’s league games this campaign, and even when he has started, he’s looked devoid of any quality or confidence with and without the ball at his feet.
The 24-year-old was sent off during the 3-0 defeat to Manchester City at Anfield earlier this month, with his rash nature resulting in him being dismissed for two yellow cards.
Such a performance was a low point for the midfielder, with Gravenberch only appearing in the Premier League once since he was handed his marching orders.
Even against Arsenal on Sunday, he was forced to sit on the bench for the entirety of the contest, with Iraola deciding to utilise youngster Trey Nyoni ahead of him.
How Liverpool can land a £50m Gravenberch upgrade in January
Given the struggles within the midfield department, it’s no surprise to see the Liverpool hierarchy already laying down the foundations for investment in January.
Bournemouth star Alex Scott has been touted as one possible transfer target, with a reunion with former boss Iraola on the cards should a deal be completed.
However, the Cherries’ £100m and interest from fellow Premier League side Chelsea could scupper any plans to secure the Englishman’s signature this winter.
He’s not the only midfielder currently on the Reds’ shortlist at present, with AS Monaco star Lamine Camara emerging as another option ahead of the January window.
It’s been reported by Football Insider that a deal for the Senegalese international could be on the cards, with the Ligue 1 side needing to raise funds to ease their financial issues.
They also claim that the 22-year-old would be open to a move to Anfield, with the French side placing a £50m valuation above his head ahead of the upcoming window.
Such a price may seem somewhat steep for Camara, but it could prove to be a bargain if he became a first-team regular upon any move to Merseyside.
His stats this season highlight his quality and showcase why the club would be securing a player who’s already a class above Gravenberch at present.
Lamine Camara – Ligue 1 stats (2026/27) | |
|---|---|
Statistic | Total |
Appearances | 9 |
Minutes played | 810 |
Assists | 1 |
Key passes | 9 |
Tackles | 31 |
Interceptions | 11 |
Duels won | 67 |
Duels won % | 68% |
Successful dribbles | 7 |
Fouls won | 26 |
Recently hailed by manager Filipe Luis as “one of the best midfielders in the world”, the Monaco star has achieved a 92% pass completion rate this campaign, which has subsequently allowed him to complete 7.4 line-breaking passes per 90.
Both of the aforementioned figures rank him above Gravenberch and 80% of other midfielders in Europe this term – highlighting his phenomenal ability with the ball at his feet.
Out of possession, he’s been just as dominant this season, as seen by his phenomenal tally of 8.3 ground duels won per 90, which has seen him win 68% of his battles to date.
Like his numbers in possession, he’s beaten the Dutchman in such a department, whilst also registering more efforts than 97% of other midfielders across Europe’s top-five leagues.
Such numbers undoubtedly make him one of the continent’s best ball-winners and back up analyst Gianni Bellasi’s claim that he’s already a “world-class” operator.
£50m for a player of his immediate quality and future potential could prove to be an excellent deal for Liverpool in their quest to secure Premier League success.
It would spell bad news for players like Gravenberch, but it’s a move that would see Camara undoubtedly provide a better option at the heart of the side.
Source: www.footballfancast.com
