Liverpool Step Up Defensive Plans Ahead of Defining January Window

Urgency Grows After Forest Defeat

Liverpool’s January transfer window is moving rapidly towards a critical moment, shaped heavily by their 3-0 loss to Nottingham Forest at Anfield. The defeat has pushed the champions into the bottom half of the Premier League table and intensified pressure on Arne Slot, who now faces the challenge of repairing both confidence and structure inside a team that has conceded 20 goals in 12 league games.

According to Caught Offside, Liverpool have made it clear to intermediaries that securing a top-level centre back is now the club’s “number one priority” for January. Their defensive issues have become too significant to ignore, and the need for reinforcement has reached what one source described as “an urgent necessity”.

Key Names on Liverpool’s Defensive Shortlist

Sporting director Richard Hughes and Liverpool’s recruitment department have compiled a focused list of targets. The leading candidate remains Marc Guehi of Crystal Palace, a player admired at Anfield for his consistency and leadership at the age of 25. He was heavily linked with the club in the summer and remains viewed internally as the most fitting and realistic option.

Yet Guehi is not the only name being monitored. Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck has also attracted serious interest. The report notes his “tactical acumen and leadership” and adds that Dortmund are open to discussions if presented with a substantial offer. One source told Caught Offside, “Liverpool see Schlotterbeck as a defender who could elevate the unit immediately”.

Benfica’s Antonio Silva represents another high level candidate. At 22, his reputation in Europe has grown significantly through strong domestic and Champions League displays. With Manchester United and Real Madrid also watching closely, Liverpool face a competitive race if they choose to pursue him.

Sporting CP’s Gonçalo Inácio is similarly admired, fitting the profile of a modern, left footed centre back adept at playing out from deep. Meanwhile, Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano has entered discussions as a potential opportunity, given uncertainty around his contractual future.

Why January Matters for Liverpool

Liverpool’s defensive frailties require immediate attention. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté have struggled, and Joe Gomez remains the only natural back up option. For a team looking to reassert control and re-establish defensive organisation, depth has become a necessity rather than a luxury.

Caught Offside suggest that Guehi remains the most “achievable” target because of long standing admiration at Anfield and the practicality of negotiating with Crystal Palace. With the club conceding more frequently and losing control in key moments, a defender capable of offering reliability and presence will be essential to stabilise their season.

Clear Direction but Fierce Competition

Liverpool’s recruitment strategy remains proactive, and their target list reflects ambition and long term planning. However, competition from Europe’s elite ensures that decisions must be made quickly and decisively if they are to bring in the calibre of defender required to shift momentum.

Our View – Anfield Index Analysis

Supporters know the defensive issues have been glaring for weeks, perhaps months, and the idea that centre back has finally become the club’s “number one priority” aligns with what fans have been demanding. After the 3-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest, the calls for change only grew louder.

The sense of expectation comes from belief that this is the moment Liverpool act decisively. Guehi feels like the logical option. He has been linked for more than a year, and supporters appreciate his consistency, ball confidence and leadership. Many fans think he could settle quickly beside van Dijk or Konaté, offering stability that has been badly lacking.

There is excitement too around the ambition of the shortlist. Seeing names like Schlotterbeck, Silva and Inácio included suggests Liverpool are thinking at the required level, targeting players who can shape the defensive structure for years. But supporters also know the club must avoid hesitation. When Madrid, Bayern or United are involved in any race, delay often proves costly.

The expectation from fans is clear. Liverpool need to act early in January, secure the defender they truly want and deliver the upgrade the team has needed throughout the first half of the campaign. Anything less will feel like an opportunity wasted.