Liverpool supporters were left frustrated during the January transfer window as their calls for a centre-back signing fell on deaf ears.
Reds fans felt that Arne Slot’s squad was short heading into the second half of the campaign and were desperate to see defensive reinforcements arrive.
Although Liverpool ultimately did not bring in a new first-team centre-back, that does not mean they did nothing at all.
Got a horrible feeling Slot is going to keep Gakpo in the XI and drop Salah 😬 Who should be the front four vs Forest?
Liverpool predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest
Liverpool predicted XI vs Nottingham Forest
The Reds signed teenagers Noah Adekoya and Mor Tall Ndiaye, while also tying up the summer arrival of highly-rated Austrian Ifeanyi Ndukwe. That’s without even mentioning the £60m capture of Jeremy Jacquet.
In terms of the youth players, Ndiaye and especially Ndukwe took the headlines, with both expected to challenge for a place in the first-team Liverpool squad during 2026/27. But with the former injured and the latter yet to join, Adekoya has quietly hit the ground running with the young Reds.
Noah Adekoya bags first Liverpool goal
Adekoya joining Liverpool along with Ndiaye, Ndukwe and Jacquet clearly signalled that the Reds have a long-term plan for the centre-back position.
He may have been seen as a signing for the U21s initially, but Adekoya is already proving why he should very much be put alongside those other, more illustrious names.
Noah Adekoya pictured on the ball during Burnley' pre-season friendly against Shrewsbury Town
Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images
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Signed on a free transfer from Burnley, the 19-year-old has slotted straight into Rob Page’s team, seamlessly covering for the injured Wellity Lucky.
Adekoya has already started four games for the Liverpool U21s, taking part in three wins and one draw, and even scored his first goal for the club on Friday evening.
Kieran Morrison was the star of the show against Nottingham Forest, scoring twice and laying on an assist, but his ball in for Adekoya still had to be finished, and the former Burnley man did it with aplomb, catching a right-footed volley brilliantly, giving the goalkeeper no chance.
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Kieran Morrison of Liverpool battles with Crystal Palace's Borna Sosa during the Carabao Cup fourth round match at Anfield (Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Liverpool FC
Although goals are not what the young defender should be judged on, it was the latest step in what has been a really impressive first month at Anfield. As Arne Slot examines his centre-back options for the rest of the season and beyond, Adekoya is doing his chances of first-team inclusion no harm at all.
Adekoya’s first-team call-up may not be far away
As things stand, Adekoya is Liverpool’s fifth-choice natural centre-back. Behind Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and probably Amara Nallo, that may sound like he is nowhere near the first-team.
But Gomez is currently needed at right-back, and with FA Cup and Champions League games still to come, the possibility of injury to either Van Dijk or Konate lingers.
Even if he does not get the chance this season – and it does look unlikely – Adekoya should get the opportunity to impress Slot in pre-season.
With first-team players away at the World Cup, he is likely to feature in the summer friendlies, probably vying with Ndiaye, Ndukwe and Jacquet for game time.
In the meantime, Adekoya should prepare himself in the event he is needed before the end of the campaign. Keep doing well with the U21s and that call may come regardless of injuries to more established stars.
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