Arne Slot’s Liverpool will look for a new centre-back when the transfer window reopens in January following an injury blow.
Liverpool want to reinforce their backline in January on a priority basis. According to Pete O’Rourke via Football Insider, the Merseyside club want to bring in a new centre-back mid-season. They are looking for a short-term fix and will prefer a loan move until the end of the season.
The Merseyside club made significant changes to their squad during the summer transfer window. While their major focus was on reinforcing their attack, they did sign Giovanni Leoni to add more depth at the back.
However, things haven’t gone according to plan as the former Parma sensation suffered an ACL tear and is all set to be out for a while. With him unavailable, Liverpool only have three out-and-out centre-back options in Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez.
Slot wants defensive depth
Any more injuries at the back or even suspensions could cause serious problems for Arne Slot’s team. As a result, the Dutch manager wants to add more quality and depth at the back. In order to keep their chances of retaining the Premier League title alive, the Reds are all set to turn to the winter window for a new centre-back.
They were on the verge of signing Marc Guehi, but the deal collapsed on deadline day as the Eagles pulled the plug after failing to find an ideal replacement. Liverpool might look back at it as a missed opportunity, as they could have signed him for around £40 million weeks prior to the deadline.
However, they wanted to bring the price down, and it could now cost them big time. While the Merseyside club reignite their pursuit of Guehi in January, it won’t make much sense as he will be available for free next summer.
As a result, the Reds are exploring the option of signing a centre-back on loan until the end of the season. It could act as a quick fix to their issues at the back. While they are looking for a temporary move as of now, things could change if Joe Gomez looks to leave the club.