Liverpool Cannot Afford to Ignore Their Defensive Problems

Liverpool may have transformed their attack this summer, but there is one area of the squad that still leaves me seriously concerned.

The defence.

The Reds have made some exciting additions going forward, but if Liverpool don’t address their defensive situation properly this summer, they could be looking at a huge rebuild next year.

And there are already plenty of warning signs.

Van Dijk’s clock is ticking

Virgil van Dijk remains one of the most important players at Liverpool, but the reality is that he is now 35 and has only one year remaining on his contract.

If the reported £400,000-a-week salary is accurate, Liverpool also face a major financial decision when it comes to extending his contract.

Do Liverpool and Van Dijk agree another deal when he reaches 36?

I highly doubt it.

That doesn’t mean Van Dijk can’t still be an outstanding defender. It simply means Liverpool need to start preparing for life after their captain.

They cannot wait until he leaves before looking for his successor.

Gomez has another big question mark

Joe Gomez is in a similar position, with just one year remaining on his contract.

When fit, Gomez is an extremely useful player who can operate at centre-back and full-back.

The problem is availability.

His injury record makes it extremely difficult for Liverpool to rely on him as a long-term defensive cornerstone.

It would therefore be a surprise if the club offered him another long-term contract without serious consideration.

If Gomez leaves next summer, Liverpool will need another centre-back.

Araújo is only a temporary solution

Ronald Araújo changes the picture slightly because his arrival is on loan.

That could actually be a very sensible move for Liverpool.

Rather than committing a huge transfer fee immediately, the club gets an entire season to assess whether Araújo is the right fit.

But that’s also the problem.

A loan doesn’t solve Liverpool’s long-term centre-back situation.

Araújo has plenty of ability, but injuries and errors have raised questions about his consistency.

Liverpool therefore have a year to find out whether he can become a reliable option.

If he impresses, perhaps the club will look at making the move permanent.

If he doesn’t, Liverpool will be back in the market again.

Either way, the club still needs to be thinking beyond this season.

Left-back needs attention too

Kostas Tsimikas has one year remaining on his contract and his future looks uncertain.

Liverpool tried to move him on previously, couldn’t find a buyer and eventually sent him out on loan.

Now Milos Kerkez has arrived and looks set to become the first-choice left-back.

But what happens if Tsimikas leaves?

Liverpool will need another player capable of providing genuine competition and depth.

They shouldn’t allow another position to become a problem overnight.

Right-back isn’t completely settled

The right side of the defence also comes with questions.

Jeremie Frimpong is an incredibly exciting attacking player, but he isn’t a natural traditional right-back.

He also endured an injury-hit campaign and now has this season to prove that he can consistently deliver for Liverpool.

Then there is Conor Bradley.

Nobody doubts his potential, but injuries have disrupted his progress.

He has completed 90 minutes for Liverpool only seven times, which highlights just how difficult it has been for him to maintain consistent availability.

Liverpool may have enough options for this season.

But are they certain that either player is the long-term answer?

I’m not convinced.

Even Alisson’s future isn’t certain

Then we come to Alisson Becker.

Liverpool’s goalkeeper remains one of the best in the world, but he is also 33 and has just one year remaining on his contract.

His injury record is another concern.

Liverpool therefore have to consider what comes next.

Do they give Alisson another contract and keep one of the best goalkeepers in the world?

Or do they eventually begin the transition towards Giorgi Mamardashvili?

The Georgian has obvious talent, but replacing Alisson is an enormous task.

You can’t simply assume that everything will be fine.

The potential rebuild is enormous

This is why Liverpool need to think ahead.

Even with Araújo arriving on loan, the club could potentially need:

Three new permanent centre-backs.

Another left-back.

Potentially another right-back.

And eventually a new goalkeeper.

That’s an enormous amount of work for one transfer window.

And that’s exactly why Liverpool should start planning now.

The worst-case scenario would be waiting until next summer and suddenly discovering that Van Dijk, Gomez, Tsimikas and potentially Alisson are all approaching the end of their Liverpool careers.

Suddenly you’re trying to replace the spine of your defence in one go.

Liverpool cannot rely on their attack to cover the cracks

The exciting thing about Liverpool right now is what they can offer going forward.

Wirtz and Isak have already shown glimpses of what they could become, while Liverpool have plenty of attacking talent around them.

But no matter how good your attack is, you still need a defence capable of winning football matches.

Iraola’s aggressive style will demand plenty from his defenders.

They will need pace, fitness, concentration and the ability to defend large spaces when Liverpool commit players forward.

Araújo’s loan gives Liverpool an opportunity.

Kerkez gives them another exciting option.

Frimpong and Bradley still have time to prove themselves.

But Liverpool cannot simply hope that all of these questions answer themselves.

The defensive rebuild is coming.

The smart thing would be to start preparing for it now rather than waiting until next summer and finding themselves needing to replace half the defence at once.

Jamie (The Kopite View)