Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher believes that the club needs to sign a defender to bolster their Premier League title chances. Carragher pinpointed the left-back position as the weak area in defence that requires recruitment during the upcoming January transfer window.
Liverpool have won their 11th game from 12 matches in all competitions after beating RB Leipzig in the Champions League. The Reds have conceded only five goals from 12 games under the new head coach Arne Slot’s style of play.
However, there is a lot of room for improvement as Liverpool have won many games without putting their best performance. Slot’s style demands more control and patience while maintaining the structure of the team to negate spaces for the opposition.
Carragher wrote in the Telegraph column that Liverpool needs a left-sided defender in January to bolster their Premier League title chances. He wrote:
“Liverpool also need another defender. I have been saying for a few years that the club needs a multi-purpose defender on the left – someone who can cover for Andrew Robertson or play centre-half without weakening the back line. Manchester City have those utility defenders in Nathan Aké and Josko Gvardiol. Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori comes into the same category.”
Last season, Liverpool struggled with a severe injury crisis, particularly in the left-back position, with both Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas sidelined. The Reds survived that period after Joe Gomez stepped up as the make-shift left-back for the team.
Robertson has struggled with consistencies caused by nagging injuries while Tsimikas has also struggled to maintain a reliable form. The Reds cannot afford any weakness if they want to challenge Arsenal and Manchester City for the title.
Furthermore, Slot’s style of play demands a strong fullback capable of playing in different variations at that position. Liverpool need a strong left-sided defensive option who can challenge Robertson and allow captain Virgil van Dijk to rest.
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The Reds have no left-footed centre-back in their current squad with Van Dijk and Gomez capable of comfortably playing at the left side. The profile that Carragher has suggested fits the criteria that Liverpool would want in a defender under Slot. However, finding a defender of immense quality to compete with the likes of Robertson and Van Dijk is a daunting task for the scouting department.
