Liverpool confirm INSANE centre-back search as four targets found | OneFootball

Most of Liverpool's concerns relate to the defensive unit right now.

The unfortunate breakdown in talks to sign Marc Guehi last season has left the team with centre-back lineup that is weaker than most would have expected. Giovanni Leoni was brought in to join Joe Gomez in backing-up Virgil Van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate this season, although the Italian tore his ACL on debut for the Reds, leaving Arne Slot in a perilous situation in terms of managing workloads.

One report has suggested that Liverpool are not looking to change their stance for the January transfer window, instead choosing to cover Leoni by looking internally instead. There are a number of candidates for that position, not least a forgotten star who could make a difference by stepping in.

But nothing has been confirmed quite yet in terms of future recruitment plans and other sources are claiming the opposite to be true, with all options being considered. If we decision is made to bring someone in, then a number of high-class targets are said to be on Richard Hughes' radar for a move.

Liverpool are preparing for all scenarios

A previous report from Anfield Watch named four players to have 'scored strongly in Liverpool's data driven approach', specifically Sven Botman, Willian Pacho, Zeno Debast and Ousmane Diomande.

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However, it's now been revealed that the club's search spans a lot further than those four players.

Matt Thielen at Liverpool Transfer Room reports: "With Leoni's surgery officially complete, club sources are now reporting that signing a defender in January is being discussed.

"The club has identified several targets, including Ronald Araujo, Dayot Upamecano, Micky van de Ven and Konstantinos Koulierakis."

While the initial report had to add the caveat that Liverpool hadn't looked at any of the four targets last summer, this new update feels to be more in line with how the club might proceed.

Each of the named centre-backs has been linked in recently published transfer rumours and while some players might be considered more feasible than others, Slot has a trump cards up his sleeve.

Not least when it comes to Van De Van, who has narrowly missed out on working with the Reds' head coach over the last few years. The mutual appreciation between the pair is well-known by now.

The two somewhat-contravening reports certainly suggest that Liverpool have a range of players to consider if a new defender is required in January, although we're going to have to wait a few months before an official stance is reached. A lot can change over the next three months of the season.