Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher demanded the club to sign a defender after the Nottingham Forest draw in the Premier League. The majority of the fanbase is generally calm about almost inadequate transfer activity despite some impatient sections on social media.
However, there is a consensus that the Defence Department need recruitment from outside and it is now an immediate necessity. Liverpool management usually operates according to requirements within the squad, avoiding huge transfer fees on any desired player unless necessary.
This strategy has allowed them to make wise transfer choices while competing with the high-spending competitive rivals in the league. Liverpool have only signed Federico Chiesa during the summer transfer window as an addition for this season under Arne Slot.

The lack of backing for the new head coach riled up some fans but many understood the inherited squad’s quality. Nevertheless, defensive fragility is a problem that haunted Liverpool since last season under the legendary former Reds manager Jurgen Klopp.
Slot’s impressive tactical input and desire to play a more patient style allowed Liverpool to dominate all the game’s phases. It solidified the team’s defensive and offensive style by bringing a balance between the risk and reward factors in possession.
The Reds have conceded 26 goals in all competitions from 31 games so far this season while enjoying offensive output. However, Liverpool have conceded 13 of those goals since December which shows a steep decline in their formidability in defence.
Carragher used his X account to outline the big issue of lacking a reliable defender that Liverpool needs to rectify after their draw with Nottingham. He wrote:
“Liverpool should’ve won tonight, but they continue to create big chances even in the games they don’t win, but the defensive solidity they had at the start of the season has gone. Always look likely to concede. Buy a defender!!!!”
The root cause of Liverpool’s defensive fragility since December
Liverpool lost Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate in late November during their Champions League victory over Real Madrid. Slot deployed Joe Gomez alongside reliable captain Virgil van Dijk and Gomez gradually improved his performance after a small period of rustiness.
Liverpool have conceded different sorts of goals to pinpoint any blame on a particular player but a lot of problems arise from the fullback positions. While Trent Alexander-Arnold has improved defensively, he has displayed complacency that haunted the whole squad last season. There is an argument that Alisson Becker has struggled to perform at his high expected level, conceding some saveable goals.
The left-back position has caused the majority of the concern among the fanbase with a steep decline of Andy Robertson. Robertson struggled with injuries and inconsistencies last season and the problem with performance has festered during the current season.
Meanwhile, Roberton’s natural competition Kostas Tsimikas has failed to impress Slot enough to usurp the current version of the Scotsman. The left-back spot is a vulnerability that every opposition is aware of right now. The Kopites adore Robertson and he is justifiably a legend at the club but it is clear that a change is necessary.
Liverpool also lacks a proper successor for Van Dijk who could compete with the Dutchman for the left-central defender role. The Reds currently lack a left-footed centre-back, a profile that they targeted during the summer but opted against any recruitment.
A glaring necessity in defence and the solutions in the transfer market
The Daily Mail reported that Liverpool have three alternatives for the left-back position in the transfer market. The three options they reported were Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, Bournemouth’s Milos Kerkez and Bayern Munich’s Alphonso Davies.
However, Liverpool could hit two birds with one stone by signing a versatile defender capable of playing as a left-back and a left-centre back. Slot prefers a player capable of playing in multiple variations during the game and adhering to his tactical instructions.
A defender of Josko Gvardiol’s mould, a Manchester City centre-back playing dominantly as a left-back, could boost Liverpool’s defence. Rest assured, the margin of error is small in the Premier League and the fans do not want to leave anything to chance.
More Liverpool News
- Slot praises Liverpool star as fans hope for injury-free run
- Slot sees positives as Nottingham Forest parked the bus against Liverpool
- Saudi interest sparks uncertainty over Liverpool star’s future
The fans have remained patient with the club’s management but now the defensive position is a necessity and in need of recruitment. Slot deserves the backing for which Liverpool as highlighted by Carragher and they have an incredible scouting department that should have a defender of his required profile in their data.