Liverpool’s season below supervisor Arne Slott has been an interesting mixture of tactical evolution and excessive expectations. Slott, who succeeded Jurgen Klopp as supervisor in June 2024, gained the Premier League title in his debut season, restoring confidence that Liverpool can keep their dominance of English soccer.
Nonetheless, because the 2025/26 season progresses, cracks are beginning to present. The obvious one is the defensive division. Conor Bradley’s current harm has turned a manageable concern right into a full-blown disaster. Their title protection is already in tatters and their ambitions may crumble additional if they do not make a daring transfer within the switch market.
From secure to susceptible: the right-back dilemma
Bradley’s rise was considered one of Liverpool’s success tales final season. His vitality, defensive self-discipline and attacking contribution made him a dependable substitute for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who left the membership earlier than this season. Bradley’s harm leaves Liverpool in a harmful place at right-back.
In idea, Jeremy Frimpong might be added to the position. Frimpong, who was signed for his dynamism and flexibility, is a pure right-back. Nonetheless, Slott’s tactical changes throughout Mohamed Salah’s absence from AFCON meant Frimpong was given a complicated position on the suitable wing. His tempo and attacking instincts might be essential in compensating for Salah’s absence, and Slot is unlikely to sacrifice an attacking outlet by bringing him again completely.
Joe Gomez gives one other resolution. His means to play throughout the backline is invaluable, however shifting him to right-back creates a domino impact. That leaves Liverpool with solely Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as senior centre-backs. It is a precarious place, particularly after Giovanni Leoni suffered a season-ending ACL harm earlier within the season. One other stumble from the centre-back and Liverpool’s defensive construction collapses.
Calvin Ramsey stays with the staff, however his inexperience and restricted minutes make him extra of an emergency possibility than a dependable resolution.
The massive image: Why stopping isn’t an possibility
Liverpool’s defensive weak spot is not only a matter of numbers, it is a matter of steadiness. Slot’s system, like Klopp’s methods earlier than, thrives on managed aggression. Full-backs push excessive, centre-backs cowl huge areas and midfielders shortly reuse possession. Compromising on human sources dangers upsetting this delicate steadiness.
The battle for the Premier League title is relentless. Manchester Metropolis’s depth is unparalleled, Arsenal are relentless and even unlikely challengers like Aston Villa have proven stability. In Europe, the margins are even finer. Liverpool cannot afford to spend the season dragging their ft, hoping that accidents do not add up. Reinforcement is a necessity, not a luxurious.
Marc Gehi: the best particular person in a fierce competitors
Studies linking Liverpool with Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi make good sense. Guehi, 25, combines Premier League expertise with calmness and athleticism. He’s sturdy in duels, snug on the ball, tactically disciplined and has traits that match completely with a excessive slot line of defense.
Nonetheless, there’s a catch right here. Liverpool aren’t alone on this pursuit. Manchester Metropolis, Actual Madrid and Bayern Munich are all reportedly on the listing, however competitors from Europe’s elite means Liverpool should act decisively. Ready till summer time may be lethal. Guehi’s contract could have expired by then and it is pure to count on Actual Madrid to do every little thing of their energy to signal him. Metropolis seem to concentrate on this and are contemplating a transfer for Guehi this month to assist take care of their very own harm disaster.
For Liverpool, Guehi might be greater than only a signing, it would even be an announcement. Securing him now would strengthen the squad, defend towards additional accidents and ship a message that the membership is severe about persevering with to problem itself on all fronts.
Nico Schlotterbeck: A robust different
If Gehi proves elusive, Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck would even be an fascinating possibility. Schlotterbeck, 26, gives aerial dominance, physicality and progressive passing. His Bundesliga pedigree suggests he can shortly adapt to the calls for of the slot. He might not have Guehi’s Premier League expertise, however his ceiling is excessive and he might be a sensible goal, particularly with Dortmund nearing the ultimate 12 months of his contract eager to barter, with Bayern stated to be out of the race.
Nonetheless, Dortmund are reportedly nonetheless making an attempt to get Schlotterbeck to recommit with a brand new contract. Liverpool might want to current a sexy venture and monetary package deal to signal him this month.
the value of doing nothing
Liverpool’s recruitment technique below Klopp, and now the slot, has at all times been evaluated on the premise of values slightly than reactionaries. However there are moments when realism has to succumb to exigencies. That is a kind of moments.
Failure to strengthen the backline may derail Liverpool’s season. Think about a situation the place Van Dijk or Konate endure an harm throughout a packed spring schedule. Instantly, Gomez turns into the one possibility and the academy’s promising gamers are compelled right into a high-stakes recreation. It is not a recipe for silverware and it is a gamble Liverpool cannot afford.
Conclusion: It is time to pull the set off
Liverpool’s identification below supervisor Arne Slott has been constructed on tactical intelligence and flexibility, however the present defensive scenario requires certainty. Conor Bradley’s harm has uncovered the staff’s vulnerabilities, and whereas tactical changes might present a brief resolution, they won’t maintain a title problem.
Mark Guehi must be the primary precedence. His profile, expertise and flexibility are an ideal match for him. If competitors drives up his value, Liverpool might want to resolve whether or not ambition outweighs warning. As a result of in soccer, hesitation is commonly extra expensive than boldness.
The clock is ticking. For Liverpool, the selection is evident. Take motion now or danger watching a promising season crumble below the load of defensive weaknesses.
