The more things change, the more they stay the same. Entering last season, Liverpool's midfield was a huge question mark having seen tremendous turnover during the summer.
How the middle of the park performed for the Reds would go a long way to deciding where their season would go. Fast forward to today and we are seeing similar things. While there are no new names, (We'll get to that), the new system under Arne Slot means there are more questions than answers in the heart of a Liverpool side that wants to challenge for silverware.
I've pinpointed three important things for us to follow this season that will have a massive impact on how we feel about this iteration of the Reds midfield come May.
1. Who steps up and makes the No. 6 role their own?
While Slot's system at Feyenoord typically called for a pair of holding midfielders, we've already seen there is usually one player that stays deeper and controls the tempo from an almost 4-1-4-1 formation.
The first and obvious name that comes to mind for this role is Wataru Endo. The Japan captain took awhile to settle last campaign but when he did, his physical style was a sight to behold.
However, he tailed off at the end of the season and the 31-year old is not the long-term answer at the base of the midfield. His work rate and desire are terrific but his skillset does have limitations.
Alexis Mac Allister showed he could play in this role as well, but his talents are better served further up the pitch in an ideal scenario. But he could definitely play the role in a pinch.
Stefan Bajčetić is a name we all are familiar with and the young Spaniard has proven he has oodles of potential in him. However, fitness has become a concern and there are talks he might be loaned out. Lastly, Curtis Jones and Ryan Gravenberch are both options here as well.
Gravenberch would be the most dynamic from this deep lying position.