Liverpool has looked slightly more exposed defensively in its last few games, coming under the cosh against Wolves and then conceding twice to Aston Villa. And Arne Slot's midfield department perhaps can perhaps explain that.

Dominik Szoboszlai has been busy relentlessly running up and down the field but Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch, even after a rest against Plymouth in the FA Cup, have looked jaded. Curtis Jones, who could have stepped in for one them, was suspended against Wolves and then required to play on the left wing at Villa Park.

Without as much energy in the center, Liverpool has looked more open. Wolves outshot the Reds by 16 to 10 at Anfield; three days later, Aston Villa deservedly earned a point, even if Darwin Nunez could have snatched a victory.

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It does beg one question: should Wataru Endo or Harvey Elliott have been turned to in order to spread the physical and mental load? Neither, though, has played much this season in the Premier League. And Slot was asked about Gravenberch's lack of energy earlier today.

"I think that is partly what it is [that he can't be nine out of 10 every game]," Slot said during his press conference. "There are only a few players in the world that can be a nine or a 10 every single three days.

"If you look at his age, he might, might, might eventually belong to those group of players — those two or three or four that can do this. But he's not there yet, which is completely normal.

"It depends also on the playing style of the opponent, which we just said. If you play Everton or Wolves, that is a completely different game than when you play Aston Villa. I liked him yesterday much more than I liked him against Everton, for example.

"It's not always as simple as the form of a player or how many games he played. But nine or 10 times that's the most easy reason to give instead [of] diving into looking at playing style and certain other things."

Gravenberch is likely to be asked to go again at the weekend, when Liverpool has Manchester City. Three days later, it then hosts Newcastle United, bringing to an end a relentless run of tricky and draining fixtures.

Liverpool.com says: Endo is a completely different type of holding midfielder and Liverpool doesn't have an alternative. As a result, finding someone who can play the number six role as Slot wants and can offer a rest to Gravenberch will be vital come the summer. Martin Zubimendi was targeted last year and that is one position where a bit more depth could go a long way.