Liverpool’s Defensive Dilemma: A Shift in Transfer Strategy

Liverpool has encountered difficulties during the 2025-26 season, largely depending on the performances of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate to fortify their defense. However, both players have not reached the heights of their previous season, when the Reds confidently claimed the Premier League title.

In the summer, homegrown centre-back Jarell Quansah was transferred to Bayer Leverkusen. His departure was somewhat countered by the acquisition of Italian teenager Giovanni Leoni from Parma, who made a promising debut against Southampton in the Carabao Cup before suffering a season-ending ACL injury in the same match. Joe Gomez remains the only other natural centre-back on Liverpool’s roster.

Since Konate’s arrival from RB Leipzig in 2021, the club has not signed another defender over the age of 21, a situation that frustrates many supporters. Head coach Arne Slot has voiced his intention to reinforce the defensive line before the January transfer window closes, although he acknowledges the challenges in executing this plan. “I think everyone is aligned about the challenges we are facing,” Slot stated after right-back Conor Bradley was ruled out for the season earlier this month. “That’s not to say that we are going to act, but everyone is aligned on what we are facing. There’s no one who has a different opinion about it. But that’s not to say that anything is going to happen.”

Moreover, the future of Konate at Anfield is uncertain, as his contract is set to expire at the season’s end.

Recent reports from the Daily Mail indicate that Liverpool is showing a growing interest in Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven. The Dutch defender’s contract extends until 2029, and although Spurs are eager to secure him with a new, lucrative deal, he has yet to commit to fresh terms.

Tottenham aims to improve its selling strategy after losing key players for minimal fees in recent years. If Van de Ven declines to sign a new contract, it will challenge the club’s commitment to their objectives.

Having a prior connection with Van Dijk from their time on the Dutch national team, Van de Ven was linked with a move to Liverpool in 2023 while at Wolfsburg, but interest did not intensify, resulting in his transfer to Spurs for an initial fee of £34.5 million ($46.4 million). In his inaugural season, he earned the club’s Player of the Year award, contributing significantly to their Europa League success by executing a crucial goal-line clearance in the final against Manchester United.

Liverpool had hoped to secure Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace during the summer transfer window of 2025 but could only agree on a fee on deadline day. However, Crystal Palace were unable to find a suitable replacement for their captain and ultimately abandoned the deal at the last moment. With Guehi’s contract at Selhurst Park set to expire in 2026, Palace opted to sell him to Manchester City for £20 million ($26.9 million) this month, removing one of Liverpool’s primary targets from consideration. With Guehi now unavailable, further interest in Van de Ven could arise in the upcoming months.