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Arne Slot guided Liverpool to their 20th top-flight title in his debut year as head coach.
This success was followed by a high-profile transfer window, with the Reds spending around £400million on new talent, resulting in a flurry of arrivals and departures.
However, reality has now set in.
Liverpool currently sit in eighth place in the league, having suffered five defeats in just 11 matches.
Slot is under pressure, and fans and pundits alike are questioning how to turn the season around as the Dutchman works to integrate his revamped squad.
While Liverpool may hesitate to spend heavily again in January, rumours suggest the club are exploring options to strengthen the squad.
With Giovanni Leoni sidelined by an ACL injury and uncertainties surrounding the futures of Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez, centre-back could be a key focus for Liverpool this summer.
Several alternatives are reportedly being considered, with Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck, Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano, Club Brugge’s Joel Ordonez, and Sporting CP duo Ousmane Diomande and Zeno Debast all linked to Anfield.
Independiente del Valle’s Deinner Ordonez has also been identified as a potential target.
The Ecuadorian club, renowned for producing elite players such as Moises Caicedo and Piero Hincapie, continues to be a rich source of young talent.
Liverpool’s scouting department, led by Richard Hughes and supported by the club’s youth recruitment network, reportedly flagged Ordonez as one of South America’s standout prospects.
However, Liverpool appear to have missed out on the 16-year-old.
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Chelsea have reached an agreement with Ordonez, with Independiente del Valle accepting all terms.
Romano posted on X: “Deinner Ordóñez to Chelsea, here we go!
“Agreement reached today for 16 year old talented defender to join #CFC project.
“Independiente del Valle accepted all conditions as Chelsea anticipate 3 top European clubs.
“The Ecuadorian will arrive in January 2028.”
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