Gerrard names the one signing Liverpool must make before deadline day

Steven Gerrard believes Liverpool have to sign a new midfielder before the transfer window closes. The Reds have been active in the market this summer ahead of Andoni Iraola’s first season at the helm.

They have signed defender Jeremy Jacquet and Victor Munoz, while Ronald Araujo has arrived on loan from Barcelona. Liverpool also remain keen on adding to their attacking options.

A deal is reportedly close for a move for Paris Saint-Germain star Bradley Barcola, while they have also lodged bids for Brighton wideman Yankuba Minteh and Crystal Palace's Ismaila Sarr.

Despite that, club icon Gerrard has suggested that they need to sign a defensive midfielder before the window slams shut on Tuesday evening. Speaking on TNT Sports, he said: "There's one area that hasn't really had much focus, only really in the last week since the Newcastle game. I believe they need a specialist in the No. 6 position, that's my opinion.

Get our comprehensive football coverage, with news, updates, opinions, analysis and everything that matters to you, straight to your inbox.

To get it, it's a quick and easy one-two:

1. Head THIS WAY

"Now, the manager might have different ideas in terms of how he wants the team to look and his philosophy, but I think this team has missed a destroyer, someone who holds the middle of the pitch, who is a massive part of the spine since the team moved Fabinho on.

"I think that position's been sorely missed, I don't think they've got a specialist in that position. That can allow your [Dominik] Szoboszlais and your [Ryan] Gravenberchs and your [Alexis] Mac Allisters to go and join attacks, to make the back four secure. I think they miss that position badly."

There has been some movement when it comes to midfield at Liverpool this summer. Academy graduate Curtis Jones has been sold to Inter Milan, while Harvey Elliott continues to be linked with a move away.

And while Gerrard believes a replacement is needed, he has also suggested that striker also remains a problem position for Iraola. He continued: "Obviously, Ekitike is injured at the moment, so it's a delicate position, the No. 9.

"If there's an issue with Isak, I think there could be problems, especially if rumours are true where [Cody] Gakpo could be going in the opposite direction.

"It's been well reported in the last weeks and months that Liverpool are linked with the wide areas, they're being linked with [Ismaila] Sarr, [Yankuba] Minteh and Bradley Barcola, so they definitely need to strengthen the sides in the forward areas, but also the No. 9 for the what-ifs."

Liverpool will be aiming to kick their season into life this weekend as they welcome Nottingham Forest on Saturday afternoon. The transfer window closes at 11pm on Tuesday evening.

Sky's Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle includes at least 215 live Premier League clashes across the 2026/27 season, with more than 1,500 games from the EFL and beyond, plus F1, golf and darts.