Didi Hamann names a marginal player who will be key for Liverpool despite playing three minutes in the Premier League
Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has revealed who he thinks will become an unsung hero for the club in the coming months.
The Reds continued their impressive start to the season on Sunday when they came back to secure a 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
However, the issue of LiverpoolMidfield once again became a topic of conversation as Alexis Mac Allister, Ryan Gravenberch and Curtis Jones struggled to find their rhythm during Sunday's match.
With the midfield far from its best level of fluidity, Arne Slot's The team was forced to play more direct in their attempts to break down Arsenal's patched defensive line.
On talkSPORT Breakfast, former Reds striker Dean Saunders acknowledged Liverpool have tremendous athletes in their midfield but questioned whether the trio of Mac Allister, Gravenberch and Jones offered the right balance.
Given that Liverpool have lost once this season and remain perfect in the Champions League, Hamann believes Slot has struck the “right” balance.
However, the former Germany international did not believe that any of the three who started against Arsenal could offer the necessary defensive solidity and predicted that the need for a holding midfielder will grow as the season progresses.
“I think Mac Allister is not the player, Curtis Jones certainly not because he scored a couple of goals and is now finding his form,” Hamann told talkSPORT.
“And Gravenberch is a player who likes to participate and can drive the ball through the center of the field.
“But I think over the course of a season, you probably need a grip there to give your team balance, to give it defensive stability.
“At the moment it works because what I have to say about Liverpool is that they haven't been playing well in recent weeks.”
With the January window slowly approaching, the time could be ripe for Liverpool to add a player of that profile.
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However, Hamann noted that the Reds already have a more than capable replacement in their ranks and indicated that he will play an “important role” in the coming months.
“I think in the next four or five games we will know more about the team,” Hamann said.
“But I think the manager is thinking that as long as we get results, I think he's reluctant to change it because if it's working, why change it?
“But I feel like in the coming weeks and months, when there are injuries and suspensions, I wouldn't be surprised if (Wataru) Endo plays a bigger role in the games leading up to Christmas.”
Endo has played just three minutes of Premier League action this season after coming on as a late substitute against Brentford, Crystal Palace and Arsenal.
The Japanese international's only start came in the EFL Cup, in Liverpool's 5-1 win over West Ham.
endo was a £16 million arrival He joined VfB Stuttgart last season and made 44 appearances for the Reds in all competitions.
However, Endo has found it difficult to break into Slot's preferred lineup and was linked with a summer exit amid Liverpool's failed pursuit of Martin Zubimendi.
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Endo even started Liverpool's first pre-season match against Real Betis, but was substituted at half-time when Gravenberch, Jones and Szoboszlai overtook him in the pecking order.
However, if Hamann's predictions come true, the 31-year-old could prove a valuable presence for Slot as games pile up towards the end of the calendar year.
