Arne Slot’s Liverpool have identified two key areas that they want to reinforce when the transfer window reopens in January.
Liverpool won all three of their Premier League games before the international break. It was a sensational start to the new era under Arne Slot but it all came down crashing in the game against Nottingham Forest.
Despite the recent loss, the Dutch manager will be quite happy with the start but he seems to have identified a few key areas that need reinforcement. According to a report from Football Insider, Liverpool are looking to bring in a new defensive midfielder and a left-sided centre-back when the window reopens in January.
The Reds could only complete a couple of deals in the summer. They signed Federico Chiesa from Juventus and Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia. While the Italian winger is already a part of their first team, the Georgian shot-stopper will be joining them next summer.
Liverpool to target a midfielder and a centre-back
Apart from the duo, the Merseyside club had a few other targets that they couldn’t secure in the summer. They wanted to sign a new defensive midfielder. While they do have Wataru Endo in their squad, he was considered a stop-gap signing.
They wanted a world-class midfielder to help them take the next step and Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi was their top target. Despite all their efforts, they couldn’t convince him to move to Anfield. The Spanish international is unlikely to change his mind anytime soon and Liverpool will have to look elsewhere to strengthen their midfield.
Apart from signing a defensive midfield, bringing in a new centre-back was another top priority. With skipper Virgil van Dijk on the wrong side of 30 and his contract running out, they need to bring in a top-level centre-back as they look to plan for the long run.
Jarell Quansah’s emergence has helped their cause but he has been inconsistent. With Ibrahima Konaté having a history of fitness issues, the Reds want a new left-sided central defender to ensure they have enough options in the heart of the defence.
A defensive-minded midfielder and a top-level centre-back are two areas that Liverpool want to reinforce at all costs. Despite not finalizing the deals in the summer, the club has already begun preparations to secure those signings when the transfer window reopens.