Reigning Premier League champions Liverpool have been urged to sign a centre-back amid ‘concerning’ defensive issues ahead of their league opener vs Bournemouth.
Liverpool Urged To Sign Centre-Back Ahead of League Opener
Arsenal legend Paul Merson has called on Liverpool to sign a new centre-back after a ‘concerning’ defensive display in their Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The Reds took the lead on two occasions at Wembley, first through Hugo Ekitike and then through Jeremie Frimpong, but were ultimately held to a 2-2 draw and lost on penalties.
CRYSTAL PALACE ARE THE 2025 COMMUNITY SHIELD WINNERS â€ïžđ pic.twitter.com/dXhwOVGbSZ
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) August 10, 2025
While Arne Slot was able to field what many would consider to be his strongest back line, it became painfully evident during the clash that reinforcements are required in central defence, with the Eagles running riot in the capital when counterattacking.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, who started and played the entire 90 minutes against Palace, are Liverpool’s main centre-backs, while the injured Joe Gomez is their only other option.
Academy product Jarell Quansah departed for Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the window.
Japanese midfielder Wataru Endo has also deputised in central defence in the past.
But while there is a clear need for new defenders, the Merseyside outfit remain heavily linked and are favoured by UK betting sites to sign wantaway Newcastle striker Alexander Isak.
This is despite having already signed another forward in Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt.
Paul Merson: Liverpool Should Prioritise Centre-Back Over Isak
Speaking ahead of the Reds’ league opener against Bournemouth on Friday, former England midfielder Merson said: “I worry for Liverpool this year, especially at the back.
“I was at the Community Shield on Sunday and it was concerning how easily they were cut apart by Crystal Palace.
“I’m not worried about them in attack. Going forward they will be sensational and more often than not, they will rip teams apart.
“However, I can see them getting caught out at the back and particularly on the break. Teams will certainly have plans to hurt them.”
He continued, suggesting that Liverpool should prioritise signing a centre-back over Isak.
“If I was Liverpool, I’d be looking more for a centre-back than Isak. That has to be the priority.
“Slot has enough options going forward without needing Isak.
“Ekitike looked very good against Crystal Palace. Wirtz is also a top player. Everyone is going to enjoy watching him play this season. Throw in Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah and there are more than enough options there.
“Why the desperation for Isak when it’s obvious they so desperately need another defender? Adding Isak causes more problems, if anything, because all the forwards can’t all play.”
Merson concluded:Â “It’s so important that Liverpool get a defender in before the transfer window closes.
“If Van Dijk gets injured at all, I dread to think where they’d be. He’s a great, great player and the lynchpin of the defence. Without him, it’d be a big problem.”
Liverpool Linked With Marc Guehi and Giovanni Leoni
Thankfully for Reds fans, recent reports suggest that Anfield chiefs are advancing over deals for two central defenders – Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi and Parma’s Giovanni Leoni.
Liverpool are favoured to land Guehi ahead of Newcastle, with multiple outlets reporting that a deal could be struck for around ÂŁ35m, along with add-ons.
The 25-year-old is in the final year of his contract, and Palace chairman Steve Parish has admitted that the club may be forced into selling to avoid losing the defender for free next summer.
Talks between the two clubs are currently ongoing.
As for Leoni, he is reportedly set to join the Reds in a move worth around ÂŁ30m.
Sky Sports News claim that Liverpool are in advanced talks with Parma to sign the 18-year-old, and the deal could be finalised in the next 24 hours.
It had been suggested that Leoni may return to Italy on loan, however Fabrizio Romano has stated that the youngster will join Slot’s first-team squad with immediate effect.
