The Reds had not expected to be hugely busy during the summer transfer window, but there is some business for them still to do.
A new defensive midfielder had been top of the agenda for Liverpool. However, there have been contrasting claims after Arne Slot missed out on signing Martin Zubimendi.
Besides another midfielder, though, Slot’s other priority should be ensuring that the Reds are covered at centre-back. In that regard, maybe things are about to get interesting.
(THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Arne Slot Head Coach of Liverpool during the pre-season friendly match between Liverpool and Sevilla at Anfiel...
Liverpool searching for new defender
Before Slot joined Liverpool, it had been expected that the Reds would prioritise a new centre-back this summer.
Having lost Joel Matip on a free transfer, they were, in theory, one man down. Sepp van den Berg has impressed Slot upon his return from loan, but still seems likely to depart.
As a result, although their shortcomings in defensive midfield have taken centre-stage recently, Liverpool could still do with a new defender.
Ever since Liverpool lost out on Leny Yoro to Manchester United, links to centre-backs have gone a little quiet.
There was a suggestion that Liverpool tried to sign Willian Pacho just before he joined PSG, but that has not been substantiated.
Now, journalist Fabrizio Romano has aimed to clear things up. Taking to his Daily Briefing on Thursday morning, the transfer expert asserts that the Reds are still working on bringing a new man in.
“It was widely reported earlier in the summer that a young defender would also be on the agenda for Liverpool, but so far we haven’t seen anyone come in,” he says.
“What I can say is that Liverpool are still exploring several options on the market – they will just not sign for the sake of it, but if they find right opportunity. They keep working on ideas and options, for sure.”
Who could Liverpool be working on?
We get the impression that whether Liverpool sign a centre-back or not may depend quite significantly on the future of Van den Berg.
Slot still hasn’t decided what to do with Van den Berg, but if he does stay at Anfield, then there seems little need for another body, too.
If the Dutchman goes, though, then signing someone else should take on a sense of urgency.
But unfortunately, we can’t offer too many suggestions as to who Liverpool could be targeting. The likes of Piero Hincapie and Goncalo Inacio have long been linked, but you feel that if they were the targets then they’d have been signed by now.
Instead, there could well be a slightly surprising name on the way, one that comes a little out of the blue. Hopefully things become clearer in the coming days.
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