Liverpool put on another harrowing performance when they clashed with Sunderland in midweek
The Reds have now won just two of their last nine Premier League matches, slipping well behind Arsenal in the title race.
Liverpool were uninspiring against Sunderland, lacking any real goal threat despite some interesting comments from Arne Slot after the clash.
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Who was your Man of the Match against Sunderland?
Florian Wirtz pictured during Liverpool's Premier League match against Sunderland at Anfield.
Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images
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There are simply too many issues at Anfield to list right now, but one is most certainly the form of Virgil van Dijk.
Ibrahima Konate has taken a lot of stick in 2025/26, and rightly so.
However, Liverpool fans were starting to question Van Dijk late last month, and his woes continued on Wednesday.
He could have done more to stop Sunderland’s opener, and speaking post-match, Jamie Redknapp has bemoaned the centre-back’s major drop in form this season.
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Speaking live on Sky Sports, Redknapp said: “Virgil Van Dijk last season couldn’t make a mistake.
“Every game he was imperious, but right now he’s making mistakes and second-guessing himself.”
With Konate also not at his best and Joe Gomez having to fill in at right-back, there’s not an awful lot Liverpool can do about their centre-back problems right now.
They have already conceded 21 in 14 this season, which is the worst record from the teams currently in the top half.
In turn, it seems clear that once the January transfer window rolls around, FSG will have to pay up for a centre-back.
Fill in the blank: Liverpool simply have to sign — in January 🙏
Notable names linked with Liverpool
Antoine Semenyo (£65m release clause)
Marc Guehi (out of contract this summer)
Yan Diomande (£17.5m market value)
Eduardo Camavinga (£43.8m market value)
Marc Guehi warms up ahead of Crystal Palace's UEFA Conference League qualifier against Fredrikstad
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Liverpool centre-back options
Liverpool have been told they must try and sign Marc Guehi as early as possible in the January transfer window in order to let Crystal Palace find a replacement.
If a move for Guehi does not work out, Nico Schlotterbeck will not sign a new contract at Borussia Dortmund.
Elsewhere, Liverpool are linked with Dayot Upamecano amid his uncertain future at Bayern Munich.
Further names will likely emerge as we head towards the January window, but no matter who it is, it is imperative that a new centre-back arrives at Anfield in early 2026.
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