Liverpool transfer priority after Hugo Ekitike as Arne Slot must end four-year wait

6 hours ago 27

To say that Liverpool has been active in the transfer market this summer would be an understatement. But there is plenty more still to come with Arne Slot and Richard Hughes still having more than a month left to conclude deals.

The latest addition looks set to become Hugo Ekitike, the Eintracht Frankfurt forward who scored 22 goals last season for the Bundesliga side. He is ready to undergo medical testing ahead of a transfer worth up to $106 million including add-ons, but he probably won't be the last one through the door.

And then, of course, there must also be a focus on players moving out, amid interest in Darwin Nunez, Harvey Elliott, Tyler Morton and more. Our Liverpool.com writers have had their say on who should be targeted next as an exciting period continues.

Matt Addison

I love an exciting attacking signing as much as the next person, but the next priority simply has to be at center-back. Liverpool has sold Jarell Quansah and it would be an enormous risk to head into the new campaign without a replacement.

Andy Robertson played there at Preston, and I wouldn't be against that being repeated on the odd occasion if he stays at Anfield. But the Reds cannot hope that Ibrahima Konate stays fit again and that Joe Gomez will be there when he is needed.

Having gone for the likes of Levi Colwill and Leny Yoro in the past and held an interest in Dean Huijsen this summer — there is a plan there to sign someone in that position. The question is who.

I'm not fully sold on Marc Guehi, but having let Quansah go, Liverpool must have a plan in mind. The last senior center-back the Reds signed was Konate in 2021; four years on, the wait needs to end.

Michael Plant

I have to agree with Matt on this occasion, a center-back has to be the next on the list for the Reds.

Internally, the sense around Anfield is not one of concern over the club's options at the heart of defense, a feeling born out of Wataru Endo and Ryan Gravenberch's flexibility. I also noticed Kostas Tsimikas deputized in the middle of a back four against Stoke City.

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But Liverpool decision-makers shouldn't forget what happened the last time it won the title and headed into the new season with just three center-backs. It was a choice that hugely backfired and cost Jurgen Klopp's side the opportunity to defend its crown.

I'm more keen on Guehi than Matt. He would be an excellent third-choice defender behind Virgil van Dijk and Konate, but not as a regular starter.

Elsewhere, I like Jorrel Hato at Ajax, although he played predominantly as a left-back last season. Jarrad Branthwaite, Castello Lubeka and Giorgio Scalvini, who have all been linked with Liverpool this summer, are intriguing alternatives as well.

Liam Corless

It's a clean sweep — we all think that what Liverpool requires next is a new center-back.

Slot simply cannot head into the new season with just three senior central defenders, particularly when one of them is Gomez, who has a history of struggling with injuries and did not feature in the final four months of last season due to a hamstring problem.

Guehi would be a great choice and he would bring some stability to a position in the pitch that is looking a little uncertain at the moment.

We don't know Slot's long-term plans for Gomez, while Konate could leave as a free agent next year, and Virgil van Dijk has just turned 34 – although his level shows no sign of dropping any time soon. Be it Guehi or someone else, it's simple: Liverpool must sign a replacement for Quansah.

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