Liverpool Keeping Tabs On This Belgian Youngster As A Defensive Alternative: Why They Must Secure A Winter Swoop | OneFootball

If a recent report from the Belgian outlet Voetbal Nieuws is believed to be true, Liverpool are keeping tabs on Zeno Debast in case they fail to land Marc Guehi either in January or on a Bosman next summer. But they are not alone in the hunt, with Manchester United, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund and Napoli also keeping close eyes on the Sporting CP centre-back.

The 21-year-old Belgian international progressed through the academy ranks of Anderlecht back in his homeland before plying his trade in Portugal. Sporting snapped him up for €15.5m, plus €5.5 million in add-ons, in the summer of 2024 when Ruben Amorim was still in charge. Having made an impact with his aerial dominance and ball-playing ability, the youngster went on to appear 48 times last season across competitions and was pivotal to their Primeira Liga and Taça de Portugal silverware.

Debast has started the 2025-26 season strongly both for his club and the country, and his stakes could grow further if he performs well in next year’s FIFA World Cup. His contract in Lisbon runs till June 2029, and the Portuguese hotshots would demand a hefty transfer fee, considering there is a 15% sell-on clause in favour of Anderlecht.

LISBON, PORTUGAL – NOVEMBER 5: Zeno Debast of Sporting CP with Matheus Nunes of Manchester City in action during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Sporting CP and Manchester City at Estadio Jose Alvalade on November 5, 2024 in Lisbon, Portugal. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)

Why Liverpool Must Aim For Winter Reinforcements

Meanwhile, Liverpool are going through a crisis following three back-to-back defeats before the international break. The champions are still second in the Premier League standings, but have hardly impressed despite grinding out results in the early weeks. While the new fullback pair, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, have struggled so far at the back, Ibrahima Konate’s dismal form, coupled with the contract situation, has further jeopardised their defensive stability.

Besides Konate and the skipper Virgil van Dijk, the Reds are left with Joe Gomez as the only available senior centre-half. Giovanni Leoni was towering on his debut in the League Cup against Southampton, but the teenage ace is now ruled out for the entire season after sustaining an ACL injury in the second half.

Gomez, who was erroneous against the Saints, has seen his decade-long career interrupted by persistent injury problems. Liverpool might have to rely on Wataru Endo or Andrew Robertson as makeshift central defensive options, unless they bolster their backline soon after the window reopens.

The Merseysiders were aiming to have Guehi on a cut-price deal, given his current deal at Selhurst Park runs down next summer. However, a host of high-profile clubs are circling for the Three Lions international, and Arne Slot, therefore, must prioritise a winter move for either the Englishman or the young Belgian, rather than waiting for the season to conclude.