Dean Saunders on Liverpool’s defensive crisis, failed Guehi deal and Elliot Anderson’s potential

It has been a difficult season for Liverpool so far. The Reds currently sit tenth in the Premier League after a 3–3 draw with Leeds United at Elland Road, which was followed by Mohamed Salah’s explosive interview that sent shockwaves through the footballing world.

Arne Slot’s side managed to steady the ship with a 1–0 win over Inter Milan at the San Siro, but cracks in the squad remain clear. Something has to change and soon. We spoke with former Liverpool striker Dean Saunders about the upcoming transfer window and whether Liverpool should be targeting further acquisitions.

A busy summer at Anfield

Liverpool’s summer window was one of their busiest in recent years. Trent Alexander-Arnold completed a high-profile move to Real Madrid, Luis Díaz departed for Bayern Munich, and Ben Doak joined AFC Bournemouth permanently. Goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher also left for Brentford.

Incoming signings included Alexander Isak from Newcastle United, adding elite firepower to the attack, while Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong arrived from Bayer Leverkusen to bring creativity and dynamism to midfield and the right flank. Giorgi Mamardashvili joined from Valencia to strengthen the goalkeeping ranks, and young centre-back Giovanni Leoni was signed from Parma.

Liverpool also bolstered their squad depth with Hugo Ekitike from Eintracht Frankfurt, Milos Kerkez from Bournemouth, and Armin Pecsi from Puskas Akademia. Despite these additions, the season so far has been underwhelming, and Saunders believes the Reds still need to strengthen, particularly in defence. He points to Arsenal’s solid defensive foundation as a model.

“Well, they’ve spent half a billion. The issue is they’ve also lost eight players. It’s hard to get squad players who are good enough to play when needed but are also happy to be squad players.”

“They really need a centre back. If you can’t defend set plays then forget it. Forget winning anything. It’s the most basic form of defending. Gomez made a difference at right back but they need a centre back who can defend.”

“Look at Arsenal with Saliba and Gabriel. They’ve got the lot. Konate is having a tough time right now. The issue is Konate has gone from having Trent alongside him to having Frimpong, Bradley or Szoboslai. Van Dijk is now playing with Kerkez. If one player in the back line is having a bad game you have no chance of winning.”

The expectations around the club have certainly shifted to the point where just finishing in the top five would probably be considered a success. They are currently priced at 7/10 to beat Brighton this weekend, and if you fancy backing them, you can use our bet365 bonus code to do so.

The Marc Guehi miss for Liverpool

Rumours suggest Liverpool could miss out on Marc Guehi to Real Madrid. The Crystal Palace defender had been in excellent form, and Liverpool reportedly agreed on a £35 million fee and even completed a medical. However, Palace pulled the plug on the deal at the last minute, leaving the Reds short in central defence. Saunders believes Guehi could have alleviated one of Liverpool’s key weaknesses: their tendency to concede goals.

“If you don’t keep a clean sheet you’ve got to score two or more to win the game. Your strikers can bury every chance they get so you’ve got to stop the ball from going into the back of the net.”

“Marc Guehi has conducted himself brilliantly. He could have been like Isak and said he doesn’t want to play. The club stopped him from going to Liverpool. Put yourself in his shoes. Liverpool comes in for you and they stop you going? I would be saying I’ve got ambition and I want to play for England and to play at the highest level. You let my contract run down. It’s not my fault. You’ve got to let me go.”

“But he’s conducted himself brilliantly and he’s a good player. He can do a bit of everything. When you’re a defender your job is to stop the ball going into the back of the net. Every week he’s playing against top strikers. When you play Burnley, you’re playing against brilliant strikers. You play Leeds and their strikers are brilliant too. You’ve got to have defenders whose first thought is to stop strikers from scoring.”

Defensive stability comes first

While names like Antoine Semenyo and Elliot Anderson are reportedly attracting interest from Liverpool and other top clubs, Saunders insists the Reds must focus on defensive stability before chasing high-profile attacking additions.

“If you look back at Liverpool’s summer, we all thought Liverpool would win the league looking at who they’d signed. Isak was the signing that meant the league was done and dusted. I can’t believe what happened. It’s impossible for it to go that wrong but that’s football.”

“They need to get some clean sheets as clean sheets build confidence. They need players who live and breathe clean sheets. Swallow your pride and get a clean sheet.”

Elliot Anderson is a perfect fit

Anderson has become a core player in midfield, showing an ability to dictate games, paired with a composure on the ball, and his determination to cover every blade of grass. His form has caught the attention of Thomas Tuchel, putting Anderson in pole position to partner Declan Rice in midfield come next summer. Saunders is full of praise for the way Anderson has shown composure and press resistance in one of the toughest leagues in the world.

“The best players in the world never give the ball away. That is what separates the best players from the rest. We saw Elliot Anderson at youth level, also when he broke through in the Premier League, and he never gave the ball away.”

“We still had to see if he could do it on the big stage, and he can. He never gives the ball away. When he is playing against the best players in the world, they can`t get the ball off him. When they press him, he just turns the other way.”

Saunders draws an interesting comparison between Anderson and his England midfield partner Rice and feels as though Anderson would be a perfect fit in the Liverpool team, arguing he could slot straight into any team in the world.

“He passes the ball, moves and looks forward. The best players are always looking to go forward, and that is what he does. His football brain is amazing. He has to add some goals to his game, but he can play any position in that midfield. Number six, number eight, number ten. He is like Declan Rice. He can do a bit of everything.”

“Gravenberch did well for Liverpool last season, but he is not up to the same level. Being in that position is an art where you have to think about the worst case scenario and protect the backline all the time. You have to think about what could happen if Salah loses the ball, or if Gakpo makes a bad decision. Kante could do it, he was the best one in my opinion.”

“But I think Elliot Anderson could do it as well, so for me he would be a perfect fit for the Liverpool team. In that position you have to smell danger, and Liverpool are not doing that well in that aspect. But Elliot Anderson could go into any team in the world.”

Sean Dyche at Nottingham Forest

Saunders also praises Sean Dyche for stabilising Nottingham Forest following a difficult start under Ange Postecoglou, claiming Forest now possesses the best set of players Dyche has ever managed.

“This is probably the best group of players Sean Dyche has ever managed. I don`t think he has ever managed a good team. He always took over teams in crisis. He knows football, so everyone has wondered what would happen if he managed Man City. Would he be able to do it?”

“He might not be the most sexy name or a flashy way of playing, but he is a great manager. He gives his team belief and makes his team work hard. If you are not working hard, you won`t play.”

“But I am a bit shocked at where they are compared to last season. I think they will stay up, they have good players.”

Read more as Dean Saunders issues a warning to Arne Slot regarding Mohamed Salah