Cascarino claims Liverpool lack player like 29-year-old Arsenal star

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Tony Cascarino has told The Times that Liverpool lack a proper defensive midfielder such as Arsenal star Thomas Partey following their loss to Brentford this week.

The Reds endured a nightmare evening at the Gtech Community Stadium. Jurgen Klopp’s side were beaten 3-1. But Alisson had to pick the ball out of the back of his net five times in total. And it is fair to say that Liverpool were blown away.

The defence has come in for a lot of criticism. They were certainly calamitous, with Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa running rings around the Reds. However, Cascarino believes that the defence was not helped out by those in front of them.

Liverpool lack a player like Thomas Partey

The pundit believes that Liverpool need to find someone who sits in front of the backline and focuses on breaking up the play. And amongst the players Cascarino mentioned, he suggested that they could do with someone like Partey.

“I was not surprised when Liverpool lost to Brentford. They were easy to play through and lightweight in midfield,” he told The Times.

“People often overlook the “simple” defensive midfielder. Eric Cantona once called them “water-carriers” — players who do the important leg work for the team-mates around them. It’s not a pejorative phrase though — their work enables others to shine. They are catalysts.

“You need not look far to find a good one and see their importance: Casemiro at Manchester United has been outstanding.

“The same is true at Arsenal with Thomas Partey. Now he has overcome last season’s injury problems, he has anchored a title charge. There is Rodri at Manchester City too — he is brilliant in the air. With a big, aerially dominant player, Pep Guardiola can fit in the smaller technicians around him, such as Bernardo Silva or Phil Foden.”

Arsenal star’s importance becomes abundantly clear this season

Partey has certainly been in brilliant form for Mikel Arteta’s men this season. His importance has rarely been in question. But he has previously struggled to stay fit.

It is probably not a huge surprise therefore, that Arsenal’s only defeat in the Premier League this season came while Partey was out injured.

And having him anchoring the midfield has brought the best out of both Granit Xhaka and Martin Odegaard. The pair can focus on trying to make an impact in the final third, knowing that they have Partey behind them, ready to provide cover.

As Cascarino goes on to note, Fabinho has been the player for that role at Anfield. However, he has been well short of his best for some time. And it does appear that Liverpool really need to refresh their options in the middle of the park.

Certainly, it would be no surprise if Liverpool look to bolster their midfield options as soon as the summer arrives.