As Arne Slot grapples with Liverpool’s defensive frailties this season, exposed in recent high-stakes clashes, fans and pundits alike are debating his January transfer priorities. Whether eyeing a commanding centre-back to shore up the backline or a dynamic full-back to bolster width and crossing, the choice could define their title push, with odds shifting fast across top platforms like the Best Betting Sites UK. Dive into the stats, form dips, and tactical tweaks that make this dilemma so pressing for the Reds.
Current defensive weaknesses under Arne Slot
Liverpool under Arne Slot has conceded heavily early in 2025/26, with nine goals including four from set pieces and five from open-play transitions and crosses.
Patterns show opponents exploiting the high line via long balls, back-post crosses, and counters, while poor second-ball wins and marking leave spaces exposed.
New full-back Milos Kerkez struggles with duels and crosses, Salah lacks defensive awareness, and Konaté errs on judgments, but systemic issues like midfield rest defense and zonal gaps amplify flaws.
The high line presses well but crumbles when bypassed, dropping turnovers from 8.1 to 6.0 per game without recovery shape
The centre-back argument: why Liverpool may need a leader
Liverpool’s centre-back situation in 2025/26 highlights a clear need for a leader to stabilize the defence. With key players Joe Gomez sidelined by injury and Ibrahima Konaté struggling for consistent form, the squad is relying heavily on Virgil van Dijk, whose presence as an experienced leader remains crucial.
Liverpool has not added a central defender since 2021, and fans and analysts alike stress the urgency of bringing in a top-class centre-back, with names like Marc Guehi frequently mentioned as potential targets.
The lack of depth and leadership at the back has exposed the team to defensive lapses, especially under pressure in high-stakes games. Arne Slot and the club’s recruitment team are actively scouting options to add quality and competition in central defence, aiming for someone who can organize the backline and command the defensive unit.
This signing would not only cover injuries but also bring composure and tactical discipline needed for Liverpool to solidify their defensive record moving forward.
The full-back option: addressing width, depth, and Slot’s build-up shape
Liverpool’s full-back positions demand urgent reinforcement to suit Arne Slot’s dynamic build-up, where one full-back tucks in for stability while the other advances for width and underlaps.
New signing Milos Kerkez excels in progressive carries but falters defensively against crosses and duels, leaving transitions exposed, while Jeremie Frimpong’s high positioning risks counters without recovery pace.
Depth issues worsen with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure and Andy Robertson’s inconsistencies, forcing over-reliance on athleticism that disrupts Slot’s reshaped shape and pressing traps.
A versatile full-back would restore balance, enabling relentless forward runs while bolstering defensive transitions, key to fixing Liverpool’s vulnerabilities in 2025/26.
January transfer market realities
The January 2026 transfer window opens amid tight realities for Premier League clubs like Liverpool, with PSR rules curbing big spends after a record £3 billion summer splurge, limiting Slot to loans or bargains for defensive fixes.
Liverpool eyes Marc Guehi’s return post-failed summer bid, while City hunts Rodrygo amid form dips; Newcastle eyes midfield post-Isak sale, per early football predictions from pundits tracking expiring deals and squad gaps.
Arsenal stays low-key despite needs, Tottenham caps at three signings (defence-focused), and United pushes Bruno Fernandes out, making this window rumour-heavy but pragmatic, with football predictions favouring mid-table reinforcements over blockbusters.
Fan and analyst perspectives
Liverpool fans prioritise a commanding centre-back like Marc Guehi to ease pressure on Van Dijk amid Konaté’s contract woes and injuries, with some calling for a versatile winger like Semenyo to spark the attack, per polls and forums demanding January action to salvage the title defence.
Pundits align: Fabrizio Romano confirms a U-turn on winter spending, eyeing one defensive add based on form, while Fichajes predicts £202m on Camavinga, Vitinha, and Bastoni; Carragher pushes full-back depth over Slot’s high-line focus.
Club signals point to pragmatism, Guehi revival post-summer bid, potential Inácio (£70m clause) if Konaté stalls, and Semenyo interest, with Slot prioritizing Salah/Van Dijk contracts before targeted loans or buys under PSR constraints.
January will define Liverpool’s defensive future
As January approaches, Liverpool finds itself at a point where standing still is no longer an option. The early part of the season has revealed structural gaps that cannot be ignored, whether they come from an exposed high line, thin depth at full-back, or the absence of a steady presence beside Van Dijk. Slot has worked to adjust pressing triggers and restore balance in midfield, but the defensive unit requires more than tactical refinements. It needs fresh energy, competition, and reliability.
The next steps will depend as much on market realities as on Slot’s long-term vision. A centre-back offers leadership and stability, while a new full-back brings mobility and flexibility to the build-up shape. Neither solution fixes everything, yet both provide a clearer path toward consistency. Liverpool’s staff are already outlining winter priorities, aware that a decisive move could steady the season and prevent early setbacks from shaping the final outcome.
Whatever direction the club takes, the intention is clear: reinforce intelligently, avoid short-term panic, and support the core players who still carry the team. Slot’s project is in motion, but January will reveal how quickly Liverpool intends to accelerate it.
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