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Liverpool's £259m defence after Marc Guehi, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong transfers

Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace

Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace

have already been rather busy in the transfer market, particularly when it comes to their defensive options. It's still only June and the Reds have already brought in upgrades for half of their back four.

was the first signing through the door at earlier this summer after a £29million deal with Bayer Leverkusen was agreed. Frimpong was signed as a replacement for , who has since joined Real Madrid.

A few weeks later, Liverpool strengthened their left-back department with the arrival of . A £40million deal with Bournemouth was completed this week and officially announced on Thursday, following months of intense speculation.

The arrivals of Frimpong and Kerkez will see the duo most likely become the first-choice full-back duo for Liverpool next season.

However, the likes of Conor Bradley, Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas will all hope to stake a claim to be first choice next term, even though the two left-backs have both been linked with Anfield departures this summer.

Virgil van Dijk will go into his third season as Liverpool captain as the first-choice centre-back once again, as has been the case since his £75million arrival in January 2018. Who will be his partner at the heart of the defence, though, could come into question as the transfer window rolls on.

Jarell Quansah may be heading for the exit door this summer in a £35million move to Bayer Leverkusen. As a result, Liverpool will be in the market for a replacement, with Crystal Palace star Marc Guehi potentially that player.

Guehi has been mentioned as a potential target for Liverpool over the last few days, and may want to challenge Ibrahima Konate for a starting spot alongside Van Dijk at centre-back. There have been various reports about Palace's valuation for Guehi, with some suggestions of a potential price tag in the region of £50million.

Konate's future has also been the subject of intense speculation in recent weeks, with the France international out of contract next summer and is reported to be a target for Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

Then, of course, there is Joe Gomez, who will be returning to full fitness next season following a lengthy injury lay-off last term.

While Gomez was not a first-choice option last season, the 28-year-old's versatility and reliability when in the team will be valuable as Liverpool look to defend their Premier League crown.

It also remains to be seen if Liverpool go into the market for a young centre-back who will be viewed as a long-term project rather than to be an immediate starter. That picture will likely become clearer as the weeks go on and the deadline moves ever closer.

Liverpool will also have Alisson Becker in goal for an eighth season following his £65million move from Roma in 2018. The Reds will also have Giorgi Mamardashvili at their disposal after a £30million transfer was agreed last summer.

Liverpool's dream defence for 2025/26 season: Alisson; Frimpong, Guehi, Van Dijk, Kerkez.

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