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Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher was one of a number of former players to be involved in the Adidas kit launch on Friday— and he joked that he could return to the club to fill in at center-back.
"The new Liverpool center-back finally arrives!" he posted on X/Twitter when the new Adidas strip was unveiled. He was pictured wearing the jersey as part of the launch when one fan asked if he could play in a high line. "Anyone can with Virgil [van Dijk] next to them!" he replied.
With Joe Gomez having suffered an injury scare during pre-season and Jarell Quansah having joined Bayer Leverkusen, Liverpool is looking light at the heart of its defense. Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi is one option that has been considered.
After Gomez's injury, Arne Slot played down the need to sign another defender, insisting that his roster has other options that can fill in. Gomez's issue is only thought to be minor, too.
"I don’t think we have a concern at center back," Slot told reporters after the game. "Ryan [Gravenberch] showed he can play that position; he did it as well, although we favor him as a No.6.
"Wataru Endo can play there, so we have enough options. But it is true that Jarell Quansah left, and we haven’t replaced him yet."
Liverpool has until September 1 to finalize its squad before the window reopens in January. On Friday, it emerged that an initial offer for Alexander Isak had been lodged with Newcastle United.
The Reds have already spent big on the likes of Florian Wirtz this summer but could get even more bodies through the door. And heading into the window, Carragher said six or seven players should be brought to Anfield.
"When a team wins the league, you anticipate one or two big signings to keep the juggernaut moving," Carragher wrote for The Telegraph in April. "In all honesty, when looking at Slot’s squad, it feels like he may need as many as six before next summer.
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"That is a statement you would expect to make about an underperforming team, or one requiring an overhaul. Reinforcements are required independent of whether the big three out-of-contract stars stay.
"Liverpool needs a left-back to compete with Andy Robertson, extending the Scottish captain’s Anfield career by reducing the necessity for him to play every game.
"Liverpool needs a center-back to ensure there is no crisis if Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are unavailable. Also, a deep central midfielder so that Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister are not as overburdened next season as they have been in this one.
"Add to that an attacking midfielder who will score and create more than Dominik Szoboszlai. And finally a left winger and center-forward who can win games as often as Mohamed Salah."
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