Liverpool are dealing with several key defensive injuries this season, and former captain Jamie Redknapp believes the Reds should help Arne Slot with January transfer window signings including defensive reinforcements
Liverpool.com
11:11, 26 Jan 2026
Arne Slot reacts during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool
Arne Slot reacts during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool (Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Former Liverpool captain Jamie Redknapp has called on the Anfield hierarchy to "help" Arne Slot by approving new signings before next week's transfer deadline. The Reds have been working with a reduced squad for much of the season despite spending heavily on new players last summer.
A collapsed deal for England international center-half Marc Guehi, who moved to Manchester City this month, sparked concerns about a lack of defensive cover in September.
Those worries have materialised with centre-back Giovanni Leoni and right-back Conor Bradley sidelined for the season with knee injuries, while Joe Gomez was withdrawn early in Saturday's 3-2 loss at Bournemouth having made only his third Premier League start since December 2024.
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With Ibrahima Konate away on compassionate leave and Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez both withdrawn due to concerns over their recent workload, Liverpool finished the match at the weekend with a back four of Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo, Virgil van Dijk and Andy Robertson.
Robertson had attracted interest from Tottenham Hotspur with Liverpool having held initial discussions over a transfer for the 31 year old, who is out of contract in the summer
However, those discussions have now ceased and Redknapp believes the Reds should be bolstering their defensive options this month rather than depleting them further. "Conor (Bradley) has picked up a really nasty injury so we're not going to see him again this season, Giovanni Leoni as well and he looks a real prospect, a real talent," he said.
"Hopefully Ibrahima Konate will be back soon.
"It does feel like they are down to the bare bones, if you like. They need some players, he (Slot) needs some help in that department. If they were to pick up an injury or two more, they are going to have real problems.
Marc Guehi
Marc Guehi has revealed just how close he was to joining Liverpool last summer(Image: )
"I don't know the ins and outs, but Guehi felt like a big miss. That was something where everybody in football was saying he's going to Liverpool, it looks like a done deal.
"Manchester City came in and offered him a huge amount of money to go there, and it's a really good move for him and I fully understand that one. But I felt that was one that Liverpool would have partaken in, but they didn't."
Speaking on Sky Sports, Redknapp added: "Now they (Liverpool) have to be clever in the market.
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"The hard thing is you go and buy a player - and Leoni is going to be a real star - he is probably going to be fit for the start of next pre-season hopefully.
"So you're in a bit of position really but you have to make sure you have got some strength in depth."