Liverpool are in talks to sign the £52m midfielder

Improving the defensive side of the team should be one of Andoni Iraola’s priorities after completing a move to Liverpool to replace Arne Slot in the hole at Anfield.

The Reds finished fifth in the Premier League last season, receiving Champions League football thanks to increased competition in recent years, and scored 53 goals in 38 games.

They conceded 26 goals more than Arsenal and 18 goals more than Manchester City, the two teams finished first and second, showing how far they were from the top teams from a defensive point of view.

While the full-backs have to carry the blame, the midfield was too open at times and seemed to lack a natural midfielder to fill the gaps in the middle of the park.

As good as Ryan Gravenberch is, the Netherlands international is not a natural number six and looks to be most effective in a box-to-box role for the Reds.

Liverpool are in talks to sign the LaLiga star

The Dutch ace, who scored five goals and provided three assists in the Premier League last season, could be freed to play up top if the club bring in a defensive midfielder.

Now, the Merseyside outfit are reportedly considering a potential number six as a better option than Gravenberch in that role, allowing him to play as a number eight instead.

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool are one of the clubs interested in signing Eduardo Camavinga from Real Madrid in the summer transfer window.

The report claims that the Reds have been in talks with the LaLiga club over the phone to discuss a possible move for the France international ahead of next season.

It adds, however, that Manchester United, Juventus, and Chelsea have also been in talks with Real about a deal to sign the left-footed star, meaning there will be fierce competition for his signature.

SPORTS reveal that Real expect bids to arrive on their doorstep in the coming weeks, and that they are prepared to listen to offers of £52m or more.

Why Eduardo Camavinga would be better than Liverpool’s Ryan Gravenberch

Iraola may be looking to solve the team’s defensive problems from last season by signing Camavinga to improve Gravenberch to sixth place.

The French star is a natural full-back who likes to get stuck into challenges to help his team out of possession, while the Dutchman’s game is all about how he moves the ball and avoids pressure to build himself up.

Their league-leading defensive numbers for the 2025/26 campaign suggest that Liverpool would be more successful with Camavinga in their side as a backup midfielder to Iraola.

The £52m star has started 16 of Real’s 29 LaLiga games, thanks to the Spanish side’s superior competition, but his figures in 90 have been particularly impressive.

The way Camavinga played in LaLiga suggests that the Reds will concede fewer goals because he makes more balls and wins more duels, while doing it very well.

Described as “one of the best 6s in world football” by football writer Harvey Diamonds, it is not surprising to see that he cuts off the opposition’s attacks more often than Gravenberch, giving his goalkeeper less defense to do, which is why he will improve Iraola’s side from a defensive point of view.

The fact that he was handed less than 90 caps at league level last season also suggests that he could be a reliable number six for Liverpool, as he is less likely to give the ball away near his own box.

Although he is 23 years old, Camavinga would have arrived at Anfield as a player who would not be overwhelmed by the pressure and expectations of playing in the team because he is already an experienced player.

The Real star played 223 times for the Spanish giants, including 56 appearances in the Champions League, and won two LaLiga titles and two Champions League titles during that time.

He would be the right man to sign Iraola, therefore, to progress to Gravenberch as a natural sixth choice to improve the club’s defensive record in the next Premier League season.