John Aldridge tells Liverpool to make January transfer - but there's a problem

Liverpool's squad is in need of improvement in certain areas of the pitch, but two players who the Reds have been linked with are also attracting interest from elsewhere

John Aldridge called on Liverpool to try and sign Marc Guehi(Image: Getty Images)

Liverpool legend John Aldridge has called on Liverpool to try and sign Marc Guehi during the January transfer window.

The Reds are short of options in defense at the moment, with injuries to Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez leaving Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate as the only senior center-backs currently available to Arne Slot. On summer transfer deadline day, it looked as though Guehi would be among Liverpool's options this season after Palace accepted an offer for its captain, only to U-turn on the deal at the 11th hour.

In a column for the Liverpool Echo, Aldridge began by discussing the prospect of Liverpool signing Antoine Semenyo – who now seems bound to join Manchester City – before saying that a new center-back should also be a priority in the winter window.

"Richard Hughes knows all about him (Semenyo) and if Pep (Guardiola) wants him, it shows how good he is too," Aldridge said.

"He would bring something different. He’s big, physical, strong, fast and can scores. He can play on both sides and has caused us damage in the past too.

"But we also need a centre-half. Whether the owners would spend the money, we’ll have to wait and see. Marc Guehi is a must, if they can get him."

Real Madrid could throw a spanner in the works after it was reported by Spanish outlet AS that the Spanish giant has made contact with Guehi's agent over a possible move to the Bernabeu.

Guehi, whose Palace contract is due to expire next summer, will be free to sign a pre-contract agreement with clubs outside of the English league system from New Year's Day.

Meanwhile, Aldridge added that he thinks bringing Harvey Elliott back to the club would be a smart idea to boost numbers in the squad.

Aldridge called on Liverpool to bring Harvey Elliott back in January(Image: Getty Images)

The 22-year-old joined Villa on a season-long loan deal with an obligation for Villa to make the deal permanent on the condition that the player makes 10 appearances for the Midlands club.

Elliott has only played five times for Villa and it has been almost three months since he last made an appearance for Unai Emery's side.

"But at least then Harvey could be an option too, as he wouldn’t cost a transfer fee. He could come back in as a decent squad player and still play more than he has at Villa."

However, in a press conference last week, Slot gave short shrift to a suggestion that Liverpool could look to bring Elliott back.

"Harvey Elliot is an Aston Villa player," Slot said. "He's supposed to be going there for the season. Any questions about him, the best place to ask is in Villa."