Liverpool weigh centre-back reinforcements as defensive uncertainty mounts
Football journalist Fabrizio Romano indicates the club may pursue a central defender, downplaying links to Tottenham’s Djed Spence while injuries to Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni create squad gaps.
Liverpool are assessing their defensive options ahead of the summer transfer deadline, with football journalist Fabrizio Romano advising supporters to monitor the centre-back position. While significant media attention has focused on attacking targets, such as Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, Romano indicated that signing an additional central defender remains a possibility. This strategic focus arises from current squad uncertainties involving Conor Bradley, Jeremy Jacquet, and Giovanni Leoni.
Romano specifically identified centre-back as a priority area to “keep an eye on” during the final weeks of the transfer window, suggesting it may be more likely than a right-back addition. Speaking on his YouTube channel, the journalist stated that while there are many reports regarding the right-back position, he is not aware of any active movement for Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence at this stage.
The clarification regarding Spence is significant given Liverpool’s situation at right-back. Conor Bradley is recovering from a serious knee injury, leaving manager Andoni Iraola with limited established options. However, Romano noted that centre-back appears to be attracting greater attention from Liverpool’s recruitment team than the full-back position in the current moment.
“I will keep an eye also on the centre-back position,” Romano said. “What I’m hearing is Liverpool could consider a move for a centre-back in the summer transfer window in this final weeks – they could add one more player in this position. It’s not something to exclude.”
Liverpool already invested heavily in Jeremy Jacquet this summer, completing a £60 million deal for the French defender. Jacquet has subsequently been managed carefully following shoulder surgery. Iraola has declared the defender “fully fit and ready to go,” although concerns remain regarding his sharpness and ability to immediately handle the physical demands of competitive Premier League football.
Giovanni Leoni provides another important part of the picture. The 19-year-old is continuing his recovery from the ACL injury suffered on his Liverpool debut last September. He has only recently returned to outdoor training and is not expected to be fully match-ready until September. That leaves Liverpool potentially entering the new Premier League campaign with limited certainty in central defence, with Virgil van Dijk remaining a key figure in the defensive line.
