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Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann says the Reds might need to dip into the transfer market mid-season to sign a defender if they are to properly battle for the Premier League title.
So far this season, Arne Slot's side has been leaky at the back with the balance of the team still being worked out after a summer of big spending and major changes. In the Premier League, it has already conceded eight more goals than Arsenal at this early point.
For that reason, Hamann believes that Liverpool might have to dip into the market again mid-season. Amid links with Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo, a defender, he says, is the biggest priority.
"Liverpool might need to sign a center-back in January," Hamann said. "That could be Marc Guehi but it depends on whether Crystal Palace will sell and what their asking price would be.
"The injury to Giovanni Leoni, who looked promising before his crucial ligament injury, is another blow that Liverpool cannot address until the transfer window reopens.
"I think if they remain in contention for the league title, I wouldn't be surprised if they try to bring in one or two players in January."
French star Ibrahima Konate has underperformed at times this season, and Joe Gomez hasn't been thrown into the action from the start aside from in the League Cup.
"Virgil van Dijk is absolutely vital to the team," Hamann, speaking to Esports News, continued. "I don't even want to think about what would happen if he missed a number of games.
"At the moment, he's probably the only one who keeps everything together."
Earlier this week, Liverpool conceded first to Eintracht Frankfurt but then turned things around to win 5-1. Afterward, Van Dijk confirmed that the players held a meeting in the build-up to the clash.
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"On Monday everyone was sad because we lost to Man United at home," said Van Dijk. "We haven't lost many games at home during my time at Liverpool.
"It was tough under the circumstances so on Monday we came together. But it wasn't a crisis meeting. We all know how things can change. We're only in October.
"Obviously we also had a proper debrief with the manager but we also had a separate one as players. I wanted to say some things. It wasn't a crisis meeting. It's not something I do after every game. Let's keep it that way!"
Liverpool.com says: If the Reds can get Guehi in mid-season, that shouldn't be ruled out. How much would Crystal Palace demand for him, though, assuming that it can sign a replacement this time, and would it be worthwhile when Liverpool could get him for nothing in the summer? Those are the two key questions.
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