Warnock suggests possible fixes for Liverpool’s defensive problems

Reigning champions Liverpool have been below par this season, and that much is an understatement. Their defence, in particular, has been a major issue and ex-Liverpool player Stephen Warnock believes the Reds should prioritise shoring up the backline in January.

Liverpool failed to get Marc Guehi in the summer, but he remains one of their primary targets. Guehi’s teammate, Maxence Lacroix, is another player who’s on the Reds’ radar. Warnock commented on the Palace duo and also spoke about the steps Liverpool need to take with out-of-form defender Ibrahima Konate.

Liverpool should sign Guehi or Lacroix

The Crystal Palace duo have been impressive this season, and Warnock says that he would like at least one of them to join Liverpool.

“I think Marc Guehi would be a really good replacement. What you get from him is leadership and a player who has played on an international level. He has constantly been an outstanding player for England whenever he has been called up.”

“He is very comfortable on the ball. He is not the tallest, but he uses his physicality to outweigh the lack of height. The way he reads the game is outstanding.”

He continues by calling Lacroix a sensational player, whose strengths would improve Liverpool massively.

“I actually like Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace as well. I think he is a sensational player. What he has is an immense pace and what that allows you to do is to go man for man with van Dijk and Lacroix at the back. He has the physicality as well.”

“I think if they were to sign either Guehi or Lacroix, they would be very happy with either choice. They are both brilliant defenders.”

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Signing a right back is equally important

Liverpool lost Trent Alexander-Arnold in the summer, and his replacement Jeremie Frimpong has been injured a lot since his arrival, which is why Warnock believes that signing a new right back is equally as important as signing a centre back.

“When I look at the defence and who Liverpool should sign, personally I think they need a centre back and a right back. In the right back position they have Frimpong, Gomez and Bradley. All three are injury prone and they are not robust enough to play week in week out, and that is something they have to go away from.”

“Liverpool has to look at how reliable their players are to play every single week, and at the moment those players aren't fit enough for that. That is a major issue for Liverpool at the moment.”

“Liverpool are a better team when they have a proper right back in that position. It balances the team better and allows Szoboszlai to play in the midfield. So, I think signing a right back is equally as important as signing a centre back at the moment.”

In addition to that, Warnock says that he doesn't like the trend with midfield players playing at right back; however, he does point out an Arsenal star as a dream signing if it were possible.

“The issue I have with right backs at the moment is that it always seems to be midfield players playing there, the Guardiola style. I think you need a specialist for that right back, which can be difficult to find in January.”

“In an ideal world I would bring in Jurrien Timber, but I don’t think Arsenal would allow that. I think he is the best right back in the league. I think he is brilliant. Someone of that quality who is good in 1v1 situations. Since his ACL injury he has shown his robustness to come back.”

Real Madrid rumours have affected Konate

Konate has been criticised a lot this season, and Warnock has noticed his drop in form as well. According to him, a part of it comes down to the speculation there has been around the defender potentially moving to Real Madrid in the future.

“I think Konate's drop in form is coming down to a few things. The team hasn't been playing that well, and the individuals around him are struggling as well. The midfield in front of him has failed to protect him and van Dijk as well.”

“But I also think the Real Madrid situation has played into it as well. There has been so much talk about Real Madrid coming in for him. I think, even if Liverpool decide to keep him and extend his contract, I still think they should sign two centre backs and Konate should be the backup.”

The Englishman explains further that Konate might have to accept being a backup, even though he might not like the sound of it.

“But I don't think they should allow him to leave on a free. He should have his contract extended and be a backup. I don't know if he would be happy with that, but listen… You are at Liverpool Football Club. You might have to deal with that..”

“I still don't think he is the best on the ball to be completely honest. If you watch other teams when they play against Liverpool, every team lets him have the ball, because he is just not the best distributor of the ball.”

“That is something that other teams have identified, and if Liverpool want to improve and get better, they need a better ball playing centre back, but also someone who can defend. I think they can do better in that position.”

Read more as Stephen Warnock gives his thoughts on the Arne Slot vs Mohamed Salah drama