Liverpool could be forced to return to the transfer market sooner than expected as Arne Slott’s side grapple with growing defensive problems.
Despite having a record summer with the additions of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, the Reds have struggled to find defensive consistency this season.
The team’s backline has been a major weakness, with individual mistakes and a lack of depth exposing serious deficiencies.
Ibrahima Konate has endured a period of erratic form and continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid on a free transfer next summer.
Meanwhile, young centre-back Giovanni Leoni suffered a serious ACL injury and will miss the rest of the season, leaving Joe Gomez as Virgil van Dijk and Konate’s only reliable back-up.
Liverpool are effectively in a defensive crisis with just one more injury to go, forcing Slott and the club’s recruitment team to accelerate their recruitment plans from January onwards.
Liverpool expand search for new centre-back
According to the Daily Briefing, Liverpool are confident of signing Guehi, but are expanding their search for a new centre-back in case they fail to sign him.
Among the players the club is eyeing is Bayern Munich’s French defender Dayot Upamecano.
Upamecano is another top centre-back available on a free transfer next summer, and Liverpool are one of the clubs keeping an eye on him.
Reports say the defender, described as “world class”, is on the list and has been considered by recruiting teams for some time.
The Daily Briefing quoted a source as saying: “Upamecano is on Liverpool’s list and will undoubtedly appeal to them as a free agent next summer. Their recruitment team has been considering him for some time.”
Liverpool also keep an eye on Sven Botman and Murillo
Nottingham Forest defender Murillo and Newcastle’s Dutch ace Sven Botman are also two names that are attracting Liverpool’s attention ahead of the transfer window.
According to reports, Murillo is a “well-liked player at Liverpool”. The player has other suitors, with Chelsea also said to be interested in him.
Forest are aware of increased interest in their player and his poor form this season could mean he could consider leaving.
| status | Dayo Upamecano | Sven Botman | Murillo | mark gehi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| clean sheet | 3 | 2 | 0 | 3 |
| Number of interceptions (per game) | 0.8 | 1.0 | 1.8 | 1.1 |
| Number of tackles (per game) | 1.2 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 2.1 |
| Gaining possession (final third) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 |
| Number of balls recovered (per game) | 5.0 | 4.2 | 5.3 | 3.4 |
| Dribble passes (per game) | 0.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.6 |
| Clearance (per game) | 1.7 | 5.4 | 3.8 | 5.0 |
| Blocked shots (per game) | 0.2 | 1.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
| Error leading to shot | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Errors that led to goals | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| penalty committed | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Newcastle’s Sven Botman is another name that has caught Liverpool’s attention since the summer transfer window.
According to reports, the 25-year-old remains on Arne Slott’s list, although Liverpool did not pursue a move at the time.
However, Botman’s negotiations will not be easy given the strained relationship between the two clubs this summer.