Liverpool’s failure to sign a second centre-back during the summer transfer window continues to have a major negative effect on their season.
The Reds were on the verge of bringing in Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day, but were thwarted at the last by Crystal Palace.
At the time, the failure to sign the England international was seen as merely a minor annoyance. Liverpool had bought Giovanni Leoni to go alongside Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez and looked well set for the campaign.
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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
Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images
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However, a serious knee injury suffered by Leoni in September has changed the landscape dramatically. Konate’s shocking form and Gomez’s lack of fitness have meant Arne Slot has had to persist with defence which looks creaky at best, suicidal at worst.
Through it all, Liverpool have at least been able to count on the transcendent reliability of Van Dijk. But as Wednesday’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland ably demonstrated, Slot cannot even rely on his captain anymore. Things are falling apart.
Virgil van Dijk form quickens need for centre-back signing
Van Dijk did not play at all well against Sunderland. The Dutchman was not solely to blame for the Black Cats’ goal, but he was front and centre at the scene of the crime.
The display follows on from last week’s bizarre handball against PSV Eindhoven, with his overall performance against the Eredivisie champions arguably his worst in seven years with the Reds.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate chat during Liverpool's UEFA Champions League match against Real Madrid at Anfield.
Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images
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Given his age, there should be a concern that Van Dijk is beginning a sharp and permanent decline. He may bounce back, of course, and should still be seen as the best centre-back in world football on form. But the worries are legitimate.
In the context of Liverpool’s current centre-back options, a downturn in the captain’s form is the last thing Slot needs.
Konate was better against Sunderland, but the Frenchman is clearly struggling this season and if he is unable to receive enough help from Van Dijk that is not going to improve.
Gomez has shown that he can come in and do a job for Liverpool, but given the need to play the 28-year-old at right-back currently, he is not an option either. Van Dijk and Konate may return to form, but right now Liverpool badly need the January window to come.
How did you rate each player during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Sunderland?
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Crisis can be averted in January
With two out of his three options playing badly and one out of position, this is a big problem for Slot and Liverpool.
They may initially have been planning to get through the season before addressing the centre-back issue in the summer, but things have changed. It must now be solved in January.
A move for Guehi is still on the table, but with Palace having such a good season, it feels unlikely that their captain will jump ship mid-season.
But Guehi or no Guehi, Liverpool need to do something in January. There are still five matches to play for the Reds in 2025, and some of those could certainly be rocky if Van Dijk and Konate do not improve.
If they can get through to January intact, though, they must take their chance to address things as quickly as possible in the New Year. Half a season is enough, this does not need to turn into a full season crisis.
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