Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has urged the club to sign a defender during the January transfer window after ‘losing their defensive solidity’.
Diogo Jota salvaged a point for the Reds in a 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest on Tuesday. Arsenal could close the gap to three points when they play Tottenham – though Arne Slot’s still have a game in hand.
One concern though is Liverpool’s increasing vulnerability in defence. They conceded just eight goals in the opening 13 games of the season but 12 in their last seven Premier League outings.
There has been uncertainty over Trent Alexander-Arnold amid his contract situation and Andrew Robertson who has struggled for form this season.
Virgil van Dijk’s contract also expires this summer which could increase the need for Liverpool to sign a defender during the January transfer window.
Liverpool have also had to deal with injury issues for centre-backs Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez in recent months. Konate has returned to action but the Reds lack the defensive dominance that the Frenchman showed alongside Virgil van Dijk in the opening months of the season.
Jamie Carragher Makes January Demand For Liverpool
After Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Nottingham Forest, Jamie Carragher took to X to make a January transfer window plea to his former side.
He tweeted: “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!!!!”
Liverpool gave themselves an up-hill challenge after conceding far too easily as Chris Wood scored the opener for Forest.
With the quality of chances they created in the second-half they should still have arguably won the game. However, the Reds have a habit of taking time to grow into games.
When Liverpool beat Nottingham Forest 1-0 on March 2 last season the Reds went four points clear at the top. However, they failed to keep a clean sheet again until the final day of the campaign and finished a distant third.
Fatigue and injuries played a factor and there is concern Liverpool could run out of steam again without any defensive reinforcements during the January transfer window.
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!!!!#NFOLIV— Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) January 14, 2025
Players Linked With Liverpool In January Window
Liverpool have been linked with a number of defenders before and during the January transfer window.
Most of the targets appear to be in the full-back position. This comes as no surprise given the uncertainty over Trent Alexander-Arnold’s future and Andrew Robertson’s drop-off in form.
Jamie Carragher previously urged Liverpool to sign Bournemouth full-back Milos Kerkez during the January transfer window.
Other full-backs linked include Fulham’s Antonee Robinson, Alphonso Davies of Bayern Munich and El Hadji Malick Diouf of Slavia Prague.
Liverpool could be forced into the transfer market this month or in the summer if Virgil van Dijk opts not to sign a new contract.
Other centre-backs the Reds have include Ibrahima Konate who regularly suffers injury, Joe Gomez – who wanted to leave the club last summer and Jarrel Quansah who has struggled when he has featured this season.
Centre-backs linked with Liverpool in the last year include Bayer Leverkusen’s Piero Hincapie, Goncalo Inacio of Sporting Lisbon, Nottingham Forest’s Murillo and Alesandro Bastoni of Inter Milan.
