Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has urged the club to sign a new defender before transfer deadline day.
The Reds dropped points for the second Premier League match on Tuesday after being held to a 1-1 draw by surprise title challengers Nottingham Forest. Their lead at the top remains six points, but Arsenal could close the gap to four on Wednesday.
Arne Slot's men have conceded 11 goals in their last nine games, a far cry from the defensive solidity they showed at the start of the season. Slot was without Ibrahima Konate for the entirety of December, while fellow centre-back Joe Gomez remains injured.
Wing-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have also not been at their best in recent weeks, forcing Virgil van Dijk into the heart of the defense. That's why Carragher wants Liverpool to delve into the market before the transfer window closes on Monday, February 3.
“Liverpool should have won tonight,” Carragher posted after Tuesday's match. “But they keep creating big chances even in the games they don't win, but the defensive solidity they had at the start of the season is gone. It always seems likely that they will concede. Buy a defender!!!!”
The Reds have had a quiet month so far, but recent results could see them change their plans. Sporting director Richard Hughes has completed just two transfers since his arrival six months ago; Paying £10 million to sign Federico Chiesa, who has barely played, and signing goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili for £25 million, even though he won't be part of Slot's squad until next season.
The Dutchman seems satisfied with his lot and says in his press conference after Forest: 'I think you saw again today that with the substitutes I have on the bench I can still strengthen the team or influence the game. Not for the first time. This season these players helped us so that I could bring them in.”
Slot said earlier this month: “This club has always looked at the market. We did that with the goalkeeper who we don't even have yet. If there is an opportunity in the market, this club always tries to grab that opportunity.” The team is in a good place.
“Unfortunately Joe Gomez is injured and that means we go from four central defenders to three, but he will be back in a few weeks. I am very happy with the team and I think they deserve the club's trust.” from me, if you look at the performance they achieved in the first half of the season.”
Liverpool are back in action against Brentford on Saturday.
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