Liverpool tipped to sign 'outstanding' Man City player as transfer solution for Arne Slot

Liverpool will need to be in the market for a center-back in the summer — and arguably could do with one right now — with Arne Slot being told to look at a Man City defender

Liverpool head coach Arne Slot.(Image: Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Former Liverpool midfielder Gary McAllister says Arne Slot should look to sign John Stones from Manchester City when his contract expires in the summer.

With Ibrahima Konate currently set to leave as a free agent as things stand and Virgil van Dijk on the verge of turning 35, Liverpool will need to bring in some fresh blood at the back. Joe Gomez is injury-prone and Giovanni Leoni is recovering from an ACL injury.

Signing a 32-year-old player (as he will be by then) who has only managed 350 minutes in the Premier League this season, though, mainly due to a thigh issue, does not seem the most sensible of ideas.

Nonetheless, McAllister has made the case for the England international. Stones could still be an important player for Thomas Tuchel at the summer's World Cup in the US, Canada and Mexico.

"Listen, Stones has had an almighty career," the former Reds man told OLBG this week. "He's been outstanding.

"It depends on what mentality John's got, whether he wants to go maybe drop a level and play more games or stay at the level but know that he's not going to play the matches that he might want to play.

Man City defender John Stones(Image: James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images)

"He might just be used when needed and if he did go to Liverpool, they're not going to be defending a lot and they're going to have a lot of the ball so he can just come in and cover.

"That's the sort of level of player Liverpool will definitely be looking at, I'm sure."

Arne Slot provided an update on his center-backs on Tuesday ahead of Liverpool taking on Qarabag in the Champions League. Only Van Dijk is set to be available, with Wataru Endo poised to slot in alongside him.

"I can confirm that [Gomez] is not available," Slot said. "I expect him back in a relatively short time."

Konate, meanwhile, has missed the last two matches following the death of his father. The Frenchman remains unavailable for selection.

"Of course I spoke to him," Slot said. "If you know why he is not here, of course we both know that he is having a hard time. I’m hoping and expecting him back soon, but also not for tomorrow evening’s game."

Liverpool.com says: Signing a center-back is a must in the summer but it won't be Stones. He's injury-prone and on big money, with Liverpool needing a much younger and more reliable option.