Liverpool’s reluctance to sign centre-backs in the transfer market goes back a lot longer than supporters may initially imagine.
The Reds have been left woefully short in the centre of defence this season after failing to get a late summer deal for Marc Guehi over the line.
Guehi’s arrival would have complemented the signing of Giovanni Leoni, who became the first centre-back to join Liverpool since Ibrahima Konate in 2021.
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Marc Guehi pictured at the Emirates Stadium ahead of Crystal Palace's Carabao Cup quarter-final against Arsenal
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Incredibly, Konate joining ended a further three-and-a-half year wait for a permanent centre-back addition, following on from Virgil van Dijk’s record-breaking move in January 2018.
In short, Liverpool have a strange aversion to bringing in new centre-backs, which may explain the current lack of movement. However, after another young defender signed for the Reds on Wednesday, it is becoming clear that they have a long-term plan for the position.
Noah Adekoya joins Liverpool from Burnley
Although it is frustratingly quiet around Liverpool’s chances of making a senior signing this January, the Reds have been very active at youth level.
Talla Ndiaye is set to sign for the U21s, where he is likely to be joined by Austrian super talent Ifeanyi Ndukwe in the summer.
Noah Adekoya pictured on the ball during Burnley' pre-season friendly against Shrewsbury Town
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
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Ndiaye and Ndukwe were named in the 14-man team of the tournament for the U17 World Cup in November and look like being two potential first-team centre-backs in the future.
It also cannot be a coincidence that 19-year-old Noah Adekoya announced his arrival as a new signing from Burnley on Wednesday.
Sharing some snaps of him signing with the Reds, the Scouser appears to have joined with immediate effect. Liverpool are clearly reinforcing their options at centre-back, and while it may not pay dividends straight away, it should ultimately prove to be a successful strategy.
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Is Adekoya a potential first-team option?
Given their potential, it is clear that Liverpool think Ndiaye and Ndukwe can be options for Arne Slot sooner rather than later. But what about Adekoya?
A tall and imposing defender, he is capable using both feet and enjoys spraying long, diagonal balls in a manner reminiscent of Van Dijk.
Liverpool have been very good at recruiting from English academies in recent years, and the players brought in have often been earmarked for futures in the senior team.
With Amara Nallo likely to go on loan this January, however, Adekoya’s arrival feels more like being to fill a gap in the U21s rather than to be a possible option for Slot.
Still, it is great to see another Scouser on board in the underage sides, and with Liverpool’s need for new centre-backs clear, he has become part of their grand plan to future-proof the position.
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