Despite a historic spend in the summer, Liverpool still have a host of issues to consider over the next couple of transfer windows.
There are holes in the squad that Arne Slot has to address — none more pressing than sorting out the leaky defence we have had to watch this season.
Liverpool wanted Marc Guehi as a solution, but they now have to look elsewhere.
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Who should be Liverpool’s top centre-back target after missing out on Marc Guehi?
Micky van de Ven pictured during Tottenham Hotspurs' Premier League match against Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park (Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej).
Alessandro Bastoni warms up ahead of the Serie A match between Inter Milan and Torino at San Siro Stadium (Credit: Getty Images/Marco Luzzani).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Sebastian Frej/Marco Luzzani
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Jamie Redknapp acknowledges the need for depth as well, but thinks it could come at a cost for a player he thinks has a bright future at Anfield.
Jamie Redknapp worries about Giovanni Leoni’s Liverpool development
Liverpool did try to address the defensive shortcomings last summer, bringing in Italian centre-back Giovanni Leoni.
The 19-year-old was admired all over Europe, but it was the Reds who managed to snap him up. Unfortunately, he barely kicked a ball before going down with a season-ending cruciate tear.
Giovanni Leoni of Liverpool receives medical treatment to an injury before being substituted off during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Southampton at Anfield
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Despite barely seeing him in a Liverpool shirt, Redknapp rates him highly, but points out a possible issue that could arise when he gets back to full fitness.
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Analysing Liverpool’s loss to Bournemouth on Saturday, he said (via Sky Sports): “The hard thing is, you go and buy a player, and Leoni is gonna be a real star, you know. And he’s probably gonna be fit for the start of next pre-season, hopefully.
“So you’re in a bit of a [tricky] position, but you’ve got to make sure you’ve got strength in depth.”
We can all agree that Liverpool have to recruit at centre-back, but Redknapp voices a valid concern about how that affects the development of a player who needs experience to reach his full potential.
Liverpool can’t bank on Giovanni Leoni
From what we’ve seen of Leoni, he’s a capable defender with the same kind of elegance to his game as Virgil van Dijk. He looks like becoming a star at Anfield.
But nothing in football is guaranteed.
We have seen this kind of injury derail a career, and while we obviously hope that won’t be the case here, it’s a possibility that must be accounted for.
Liverpool play a lot of games, and the opportunities will be there for Leoni. It shouldn’t deter FSG from adding more quality to the heart of the defence, especially with Ibrahima Konate’s contract uncertainty.
Tottenham want a British transfer record for Micky van de Ven! Surely there are cheaper alternatives? 😵💫
Micky van de Ven in action for Tottenham Hotspur during their UEFA Champions League match against Slavia Prague at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport/Getty Images
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If Leoni is the player we think he is, there will be an avenue for him into the first team. He just might have a bit more competition to get there.
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