Arne Slot next to a circular inset of John Henry
Credit: Imago
Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent
Mon 12 January 2026 16:45, UK
Liverpool will definitely look to shore up their defence with a centre-back signing in the summer if they decide not to do so this month.
Liverpool have dealt with some issues at centre-back this season amid a clear drop-off in form for both Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk.
Marc Guehi’s move from Crystal Palace collapsed on deadline day, but they remain interested in his services with a possible January move away touted.
Football Insider recently revealed that Liverpool are interested in Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, so they are clearly planning to make defensive additions soon.
It remains to be seen whether a new centre-back will move to Anfield this month, but as I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, the Reds are bound to sign a new player in that position at some point in the near future.
Liverpool manager Arne Slot looking focused
Credit: Hasan Karim, Breaking Media
Liverpool will sign a centre-back in the summer if not in January
Club Brugge star Joel Ordonez is also on Liverpool’s radar, as revealed by Football Insider, but reports from Ecuador of a move being close have been played down.
Arne Slot has identified several targets who could bolster his centre-back options, ahead of possible respective moves for their services, and Liverpool will sign a player in that position in the summer if they don’t this month.
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Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “Right now it doesn’t seem that Liverpool will be making a move for (Ordonez) in this January window.
“Maybe they’ll look elsewhere to bring in a new centre-back, if they do at all. There’s no guarantee that Liverpool will look to bring in a centre-back in January.
Joel Ordonez looking focused for Club Brugge
Credit: Imago
“*I’m sure they will bring one in within the next two transfer windows for sure. If they don’t do it now, they’ll definitely do it in the summer.*“
Arsenal and Man City are also after Guehi despite continued Liverpool interest
The January window is now in full swing, but Crystal Palace star Guehi still faces an uncertain future amid continued high-profile interest in his services.
Guehi was close to joining Liverpool in the summer, but his move to Merseyside collapsed on deadline day, and he is now just a few months away from the end of his contract at Selhurst Park.
Marc Guehi in action for Crystal Palace
Football Insider have revealed that Man City plan to submit an offer for Guehi soon worth around £20million, while Liverpool would prefer to sign him in the summer and Arsenal retain an interest.
It remains to be seen where the England centre-back does end up by the start of February if he does leave Palace, but whatever his next decision is, it is sure to have a direct impact on the Reds’ plans for the position going forward.