Liverpool must rebuild their spine to close the gap, says Emile Heskey

Liverpool’s summer transfer plans are already taking shape, with reported interest in Elliot Anderson alongside their long-term admiration for Adam Wharton. With Arne Slot looking to take the Reds back to the very top, the big question is where Liverpool still need to improve most to truly close the gap on their rivals.

We caught up with former Liverpool striker Emile Heskey to get his thoughts on the areas Liverpool must strengthen, the midfield profiles that suit their style, whether defensive targets like Micky van de Ven could elevate the side and whether Liverpool have made a mistake by not pushing further for Marc Guehi.

Liverpool’s spine remains the priority

While midfield recruitment continues to dominate headlines, Heskey believes Liverpool’s biggest issue lies deeper, pointing to the loss of the spine that once defined their most dominant era.

“I think someone of the Anderson mould who has played in the league and won’t need time to adjust would be ideal. Someone like that would be fantastic but I think the spine needs strengthening. Both at centre back and the holding midfielder role. The strikers will come good in Ekitike and Isak but the spine they had with Virgil, Fabinho and then Mac Allister with Firmino down the centre who wasn’t given the respect he deserved was special.”

According to Heskey, that balance and control has yet to be fully replaced.

“We haven’t quite replaced it and it doesn't have to be like for like but for example, a time is going to come where Mo Salah is not going to be there so we’ve got to figure out where the goals will come from. You won’t find a Mo again.”

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Heskey urges patience with Ekitike

Heskey was keen to defend Hugo Ekitike, suggesting the pressure surrounding big-money signings can often weigh heaviest on younger players.

“Ekitike was hard done by when Isak came in and he found himself on the bench. He came in and hit the ground running. He was playing with very little stress or strain.”

He also highlighted the mental challenge of carrying a hefty price tag at a young age.

“Coming into the club for such a huge fee. £60m+ or £100m+ and everyone keeps bashing that on your head continuously is tough but when you’re young you don’t think, you just do and Ekitike is just enjoying his football. The others seem to be thinking about their game a lot more and it can weigh on them.”

Why Elliot Anderson fits Liverpool’s midfield demands

One name Heskey clearly likes is Elliot Anderson, particularly because of his energy and ability to cover ground, a non-negotiable in Liverpool’s system.

“From what I've seen I like Anderson. I like the fact he can get around the pitch. These pitches are big. I’m nearly 50 and I look at the pitches today and say I used to run around on that?”

For Heskey, athleticism and intensity remain central to how Liverpool want to play.

“You’ve got to have someone that can cover ground and the way Liverpool play, they need someone energetic and someone that can cover ground as quickly as possible.”

He even compared the search to one of the great midfielders of the 2020s in Ngolo Kante.

“Everyone is trying to find a Kanté who can get around the pitch. One minute he’s here and then he’s tackling the ball and then he’s running with the ball. That’s one player in Anderson who I think can cover the pitch aggressively.”

Van de Ven would be ideal, but hard to prise away

Reports linking Liverpool with Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven caught Heskey’s attention, though he admits a deal would be far from straightforward.

“Van de Ven would be a huge signing for the club. Whether they can get him from Spurs is another thing because while they’re struggling, will the new regime want to sell their best players?”

“It’s not the old Spurs where they will dangle a carrot and suck that dry and take as much money out of it as possible. They’re looking to win stuff and have told the fans they want to be up there challenging so you can’t sell your best players.”

“It would be difficult but he would be great. He’s fast, aggressive and can cover ground.”

Guehi miss still hurts Liverpool

Heskey also admitted his disappointment at Liverpool missing out on Marc Guehi, especially given how close the club appeared to be before Manchester City stepped in.

“Missing out on Guehi was a huge disappointment. Especially when it seemed as though Liverpool were the number one choice and all of a sudden he’s at City.”

“He’s a Chelsea academy player and has won the U17s World Cup. He had to ply his trade at Palace where it wasn’t easy so he’s had both sides of it.”

“Liverpool need someone to be dominant and someone that can play on the ball. Konaté isn’t the best on the ball but he rarely gets the mickey taken out of him one vs one.”

With Liverpool often controlling possession, Heskey feels ball-playing defenders are essential.

“You’ve got to remember that Liverpool tend to have a lot of the ball at times so you’ve got to be able to play and find a pass. That’s where Guehi is very, very good because he’s come from that pedigree where you have a lot of the ball and you’ve got to find spaces and punch the ball through. Konaté isn’t that but he’s a solid defender.”

As Liverpool head towards a pivotal summer, Heskey’s verdict is clear: exciting attackers will always draw attention, but rebuilding the spine of the team may ultimately determine how close the Reds can get to the very top again.

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