Liverpool’s ambitious summer transfer activity has failed to ease growing concerns about their defensive vulnerabilities, putting new manager Arne Slot under mounting pressure.
Despite splashing out nearly £270 million on attacking reinforcements such as Hugo Ekitiké, Florian Wirtz, Jeremie Frimpong, and Milos Kerkez, the Reds have not signed a single central defender a decision that is now drawing criticism.
This oversight was brutally exposed in a recent 4–2 friendly loss to AC Milan, where midfielder Ryan Gravenberch had to deputize at centre-back alongside Virgil van Dijk. With Ibrahima Konaté only playing the second half and Joe Gomez missing out due to a minor Achilles issue, the lack of depth in central defence has become glaring.
Liverpool sold Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen earlier in the window and have yet to replace him, while Rhys Williams has returned from an unconvincing loan at Morecambe. That leaves the club worryingly short of reliable options at the heart of defence.
Slot has remained publicly optimistic, insisting that players like Wataru Endo and Gravenberch can provide emergency cover. However, neither is a natural centre-back, and with Van Dijk now in his 30s, there are genuine fears about the durability of the squad heading into a demanding season.
Fans and pundits alike are questioning the club’s recruitment strategy, which has previously been lauded for its strategic balance of immediate needs and long-term planning. The current approach, leaning heavily on attacking flair while leaving the defence exposed, represents a noticeable shift in philosophy.
One potential solution lies in Marc Guéhi. The Crystal Palace and England centre-back has been consistently linked with a move to Anfield and is seen as a possible long-term successor to Van Dijk. However, with Tottenham Hotspur also keen on securing his services, competition for his signature is fierce. Guéhi’s estimated £45 million price tag could be a sticking point unless Liverpool’s board is willing to dig deeper.
With the new season fast approaching, Slot’s tactical flexibility and belief in his makeshift backline will be tested — but unless Liverpool shore up their defence quickly, it may prove to be their Achilles’ heel.
