Door OPEN for Liverpool to sign perfect defender as Arne Slot leaves January hint | OneFootball

Liverpool can sign the perfect defender before the January transfer deadline.

The Reds have only a few days left until Monday's deadline and time is running out for Richard Hughes to complete a signing but Arne Slot hasn't ruled it out.

The Liverpool head coach was quizzed about the possibility of a signing before the window shuts in his press conference building up Liverpool's fixture against Newcastle United.

Slot opened the door to one, hinting that behind closed doors Liverpool are still ready to make a move and having 'conversations' about possible signings.

"Yeah, you know the answer. It is that if we think we have a player who can help us and think it is possible, we will do so. They are conversations that don't take place in this room," Slot said.

It's a very mysterious answer. But in the past, Slot has ruled out deals. The fact that he didn't could just be a hint as Fabrizio Romano has suggested as well that Liverpool are exploring options.

Romano said that Liverpool are looking at right-backs in particular:

"Liverpool today had some conversations internally to check the right backs market," Romano said.

"They are exploring some possibilities but they believe there are not so many options of quality. If they find a good solution, they will go for it. Otherwise, they will stay with the current squad."

So, who could that option of 'quality' be?

Well in our opinion the door is open for Liverpool to sign a player who they have scouted numerous times and who would be the perfect arrival at Anfield because he can play both as a centre-back and as a right-back.

His name is Ousmane Diao. A 21-year-old defender, who according to Anfield Watch's sources has been closely followed by the club.

Diao plays for FC Midtjylland in Denmark, and already has over 100 appearances under his belt. He has been particularly impressive in the Europa League this season.

His performance in the competition have been extremely impressive. Diao won 11 of his last 12 aerial duels contested and also won seven of his last nine ground duels.

In previous games before that he scored against Nottingham Forest and Sturm Graz.

© IMAGO - Ousmane Diao Liverpool

He's at a stage now in his career where he is ready for the next step and he could be the perfect option for Liverpool. Midtjylland are a club who are always ready to sell their players and they already have a few young centre-backs coming through ready to take Diao's place.

So, the door is open for Liverpool to sign the Senegalese centre-back and he's the perfect option because of the fact that he plays as a right-sided centre-back but he can also play as a right-back.

Given Liverpool's lack of depth in both departments, Diao is exactly the profile Liverpool need.

They don't need him to be starting every week, but he's definitely ready and has the 'quality' Liverpool need in order to become a squad player.

Long-term because of his age, he could even become a starter. He is extremely quick for a centre-back which means he'll be well-suited to Premier League football as well.