James Pearce shares who’s most likely to start in defensive midfield role for Liverpool vs Ipswich

Add as preferred source on Google

Liverpool kick off their Premier League campaign this weekend against Ipswich Town.

For the fifth time in six years, Liverpool will be starting the season against a newly-promoted side, and there are some big questions to be answered in this game.

Indeed, we will learn a lot about Liverpool in this match as Arne Slot takes charge of his first competitive game as the Reds’ boss at Portman Road.

Perhaps the biggest mystery heading into this game is regarding the defensive midfield position.

Liverpool have failed in their pursuit of Martin Zubimendi, and it’s now unclear who will be starting in that holding midfield role this season.

Speaking on the Walk On Podcast, James Pearce has been discussing Liverpool’s defensive midfield dilemma, and he says that Ryan Gravenberch is the most likely player to start in that position this weekend.

• READ MORE: What Martin Zubimendi is about to do just two days after rejecting Liverpool

Ryan Gravenberch likely to start as Liverpool’s defensive midfielder

Pearce shared his verdict on who is likely to start in that number six role.

“I think Gravenberch is probably the favourite at the minute to occupy that deep-lying role against Ipswich. He started that game against Sevilla, and he did alright. He’s an elegant footballer Gravenberch. The way Slot wants to play. He doesn’t want a midfield destroyer, it’s a ball-playing role,” Pearce said.

Ryan Gravenberch should be fine vs Ipswich

Ryan Gravenberch isn’t necessarily going to be all that comfortable playing as a holding midfield player, but if there’s any game where he’ll be fine, it’s against Ipswich.

Indeed, with all due respect, The Tractor Boys aren’t the strongest team in the Premier League.

In theory, Gravenberch shouldn’t be under that much pressure against a newly-promoted side who are unlikely to dominate the ball against a superior Liverpool team.

Gravenberch should be fine for this game, but Liverpool need to find a long-term defensive midfield solution.