Liverpool's title defence this season has been hugely underwhelming but the situation can still become even more desperate, with Arne Slot now being advised on what to do next
Curtis Jones, Joe Gomez, Andrew Robertson and Virgil van Dijk celebrate
Liverpool's defensive frailties have been highlighted(Image: Getty Images)
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Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler has urged Arne Slot to sign a centre back in the January transfer window. After a brilliant start to the season, the Reds’ campaign has been thrown into disarray following a woeful run of form which saw them lose six out of seven games between late September and October across all competitions.
Several reasons can be given for the downturn in form, which has seen Slot’s men fall to eighth in the Premier League table - one place below Manchester United. But the situation can still worsen given the lack of depth Liverpool have in central defence.
Neither Ibrahima Konate nor Virgil van Dijk have been playing to their usual lofty standards. But any long or mid-term injury to either central defender as it stands would spell problems for the Reds.
Deputy Joe Gomez, who almost left to join AC Milan in the summer, has only played four games in the league this season. Each of those has come as a substitute for a combined 45 minutes of action, meaning he is currently lacking the match sharpness and fitness to step in and seamlessly replace Konate or Van Dijk for an extended period.
Slot had tried to prepare for the worst case scenario in the summer by signing the promising Giovanni Leoni for £26million from Parma, before turning his attention to Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi. But Leoni was hugely unfortunate to suffer an ACL tear on his debut in September, while Guehi’s deadline day move to Anfield collapsed due to Palace’s refusal to lose their main man.
Former striker Fowler, speaking on behalf of Adventure Gamers, has now warned that Liverpool urgently need to address their centre back situation in the January transfer window by bringing in at least one player.
Fowler said: “I'll be genuinely amazed if Liverpool don't bring a centre-half in. I think Liverpool have needed a centre-half full stop. You look at Joe Gomez. Joe Gomez is a wonderful player and I really like Joe, but he hasn't really put a long streak of games together because he’s just injured, through no fault of his own.
Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace clapping
Marc Guehi's move to Anfield broke down in the summer
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“So I think Liverpool are probably lacking a little bit of depth in the defensive area. God forbid anything happens to Virgil van Dijk, then it puts them in a really worrying position.”
Liverpool have been linked with a host of defenders in recent weeks, ranging from Juventus’ Gleison Bremer and Inter Milan’s Alessandro Bastoni to Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck. The latter is reportedly refusing to sign a new contract with Dortmund.
Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool
Ibrahima Konate's Liverpool future is uncertain
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And Konate’s own uncertain contract situation, given he has six months left on his deal, means a new arrival is crucial due to the Frenchman being able to sign a pre-contract agreement with a club abroad in January.
Slot will be hoping for more stability from his defence when his side take on Nottingham Forest on Saturday, before hosting PSV in the Champions League four days later.
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