Liverpool struggled defensively, particularly in the first half, during the 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at the weekend.

Speaking about their issues at the back, Alan Shearer suggested that the failure to sign a centre-back on Deadline Day could come back to haunt them:

“It was a big thing keeping Marc Guehi because he was the outstanding defender. And you can understand exactly why Liverpool wanted to sign him, as well as other clubs but also why Glasner and Palace wanted to keep him so badly.”

“He (Konate) was, he got robbed two or three times and they should’ve scored with a couple of his errors. But it’s a bit of a concern for Liverpool, defensively they’ve not been great at all, the chances and the way Palace went through them with ease, it was so easy for them at times. It would be a big concern.”

Liverpool do need to tighten up at the back

The Reds have now conceded 7 goals in 6 Premier League matches this season, and while things have not been a complete disaster defensively, the form of certain players is worrying.

As mentioned by Shearer, Ibrahima Konate was poor at Selhurst Park, and that will disappoint head coach Arne Slot, considering that it was hoped that the Frenchman had turned a corner after a bad start to the campaign.

It must be pointed out that Slot’s tactics on Saturday didn’t help matters. The decision to play Florian Wirtz very narrow left Milos Kerkez completely exposed down Liverpool’s left. It was an issue that was rectified at half-time, but even so, it wasn’t one of the manager’s finest moments.

Could Guehi still make the switch to Anfield?

Following Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending injury, there has been some speculation that Liverpool could make a bid for the Crystal Palace captain in January.

However, it is likelier that Guehi will opt to stay with the Eagles and leave on a free next summer. If that happens, there will be plenty of competition for the defender’s signature, with the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea having also been mentioned as other suitors.

Read more about the Liverpool First Team Squad for 2025/26 here