Liverpool’s transfer plans are slowly coming together behind the scenes, and now new reports suggest a surprising twist in the hunt for a new defender. Arne Slot and his team at Anfield are preparing for a busy January window, and while the name of Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace has been on everyone’s lips for months, a new face from Belgium has now entered the picture. His name is Zeno Debast, and the young Sporting Lisbon defender has suddenly become the man Liverpool could move for if their long pursuit of Guehi doesn’t work out. It’s a story that has quietly been building behind the curtain, one that reveals just how carefully Liverpool are reshaping the future of their defence.
For weeks, Liverpool scouts have been watching Guehi closely. He is admired not just for his composure but also for his leadership and how quickly he has developed into one of the most reliable defenders in the Premier League. But Crystal Palace have made it clear they will not make it easy. Guehi’s price tag is high, and his future might not be decided until next summer. That’s why Liverpool are already looking at alternatives. Reports from Portugal have claimed that 21-year-old Zeno Debast has caught their attention. It’s not hard to see why. The Belgian is young, strong, and technically gifted, and his ability to step out of defence and pass the ball through the lines is exactly what Arne Slot wants.
The story first broke in Belgium, with Voetbal Nieuws describing Debast as a defender with “excellent passing ability,” shaped by his time playing in midfield during his younger years. That detail is what stands out most — he’s not just a defender who clears danger; he’s one who builds attacks. Portuguese outlet Record has since backed up those reports, confirming that Liverpool’s scouts have added him to their growing list of potential targets. Alongside Debast, other names like Ousmane Diomande of Sporting, Sven Botman of Newcastle, and Willian Pacho of PSG are also being tracked. But among them, Debast feels like the project Liverpool would love — a young player with potential to grow into a world-class centre-back under Slot’s system.
Of course, there’s always the question of whether these rumours are real interest or just agent talk. With other European giants like Manchester United, Arsenal, Borussia Dortmund, and Napoli also reportedly interested, his name is circulating fast. But Liverpool’s need for a defender is real, and Arne Slot’s vision for his backline is clear. He wants centre-backs who can defend on the halfway line, stay calm under pressure, and start attacks from deep. Debast fits that description perfectly. Sporting will demand a big fee, especially since the Belgian still has four years left on his contract, but Liverpool have shown in the past that when they truly believe in a player, they will go all in.
At 21, Debast is still young but already carries himself like a veteran. Watching him play for Belgium, you can see the confidence in his movement and the intelligence in his positioning. He’s tall, reads the game well, and rarely panics, even when pressed by fast attackers. Those qualities make him attractive to a team like Liverpool that plays a high defensive line. He could be the next great investment, someone who grows alongside Virgil van Dijk and learns the Premier League the Liverpool way. There’s a sense of quiet excitement around this possible move, even though nothing is advanced yet.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are still keeping close eyes on Marc Guehi. The England international has been careful with his words, recently distancing himself from any talk about his future while on international duty. But behind that silence, Liverpool know what he can bring — calmness, consistency, and Premier League experience. Slot loves his leadership, but Guehi’s price and Palace’s stance make things tricky. January could be an opportunity if Palace soften their position, but Liverpool are prepared for every outcome.
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Away from the transfer talk, there are other stories around Anfield this week that show how lively things are behind the scenes. Mohamed Salah continues to make history. The Egyptian King has now become the top scorer in World Cup qualifying history for any African player. He guided Egypt to qualification for the 2026 tournament, which means he will now play in two major competitions within six months. It’s a reminder that even after all these years, Salah continues to break records and set standards. He remains the heart of Liverpool’s attack, and even as talk of the future emerges, his presence still dominates the headlines.
Another name that keeps appearing is Michael Olise. The Bayern Munich winger, who was once linked with Liverpool before his move to Germany, is again being mentioned as a possible future option. Journalist Lewis Steele believes Olise could “definitely be an option in the summer,” especially if Liverpool start planning for life after Salah. Olise’s style — quick, technical, creative — would fit perfectly in Arne Slot’s system. While there’s no direct movement yet, there’s growing belief that Liverpool are quietly preparing for the day when Salah eventually moves on.
There are also fitness concerns to consider. Alexis Mac Allister’s availability for Liverpool’s next big game against Manchester United has become uncertain after Argentina’s final international match was rescheduled to a different day and state in the US. It’s an unexpected setback for Arne Slot, who needs all his key players fresh for what is always one of the most heated fixtures in English football. Ibrahima Konate, on the other hand, continues to train separately with France, but reports say he hasn’t felt any discomfort — a small relief for fans who worry about his recurring injuries.
Inside the Liverpool camp, the workload on key players has been intense. In the past 21 days, Liverpool have played seven matches, and it’s been a true test of fitness and endurance. Virgil van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai have both played the full 90 minutes in almost every game, showing just how vital they are to Slot’s plans. Ryan Gravenberch has also been heavily involved, and the trio’s consistency shows who the manager truly trusts. But such heavy workloads raise concerns about fatigue, especially with international duties also demanding more from them. Arne Slot will have to balance rotation carefully in the coming weeks.
The management of players like Alexis Mac Allister, Alexander Isak, and Conor Bradley has also been strategic. Slot is trying to protect them from burnout after disrupted summers filled with recovery and international commitments. It’s a reminder that while results matter, managing player health is equally crucial for long-term success.
Beyond Liverpool, there’s plenty happening in the football world. Aston Villa midfielder Youri Tielemans is expected to miss around five weeks with a calf injury, meaning he will not feature when Liverpool meet Villa on November 1. That’s a small advantage for the Reds. Meanwhile, Burnley’s owners have completed their takeover of Spanish side Espanyol, a move that highlights how more English clubs are venturing into multi-club ownership models — something Liverpool’s owners, FSG, are also exploring.
At Manchester United, manager Ruben Amorim continues to face scrutiny, but reports claim the club’s hierarchy are willing to give him three full years to prove himself. After 21 defeats in 50 games, that patience is surprising to many, but it shows that United are taking a long-term approach with their project.
Liverpool’s history also reminds us how far the club has come. On this day in 1957, the Reds took part in a special moment in football history — the first-ever match played under floodlights at Goodison Park. The match against Everton was part of celebrations for the Liverpool County FA’s 75th anniversary, and more than 58,000 fans filled the stadium. It was such a success that the fixture became an annual event for a few years, called the Floodlit Challenge Cup. Those moments of history remind fans how deeply football is woven into the city’s identity.
Now, fast forward to today, and Liverpool’s future looks bright but demanding. The coming months will test everything Arne Slot has built so far. January will be a defining window, one where decisions about defenders like Marc Guehi and Zeno Debast could shape the next phase of Liverpool’s journey. The team needs fresh legs in defence, not just to replace players but to prepare for life after Virgil van Dijk eventually steps aside. The Dutch captain has been immense, but the club knows they must plan for succession early.
Debast could be that long-term successor. Young, intelligent, brave on the ball — he has the traits of a modern Liverpool centre-back. Slot has always preferred defenders who think like midfielders, capable of dictating play from the back, and Debast fits that mould more than most. Whether it happens in January or summer, the feeling is that Liverpool will not leave this window without strengthening their defence.
Meanwhile, the story of Salah continues. As Egypt celebrates qualification, the Liverpool star remains focused on his goals. Even with rumours swirling about future plans or possible replacements, Salah’s professionalism never changes. He leads by example, setting the tone for younger players like Gakpo, Szoboszlai, and Isak. Slot has spoken highly of Salah’s mentality, calling him the “standard of excellence” every Liverpool player must meet.
Fans can sense the shift at Anfield. The team is younger, faster, and hungrier, but the rebuild isn’t over. The mix of transfer rumours, player fitness battles, and international headlines paints the picture of a club always moving forward. The possible signing of Zeno Debast, whether in January or beyond, fits that story perfectly — a new name for a new era under Arne Slot.
The next few weeks will tell more. Will Liverpool make their move early for Guehi, or will they pivot to Debast if Crystal Palace refuse to negotiate? Will Salah continue his record-breaking run into the new year? Will Konate and Mac Allister return fit to strengthen the squad for the battles ahead?
At Liverpool, stories never stop unfolding. Every day brings a new headline, a new rumour, a new chapter. But through it all, one thing remains constant — the drive to compete, to improve, to win. Whether it’s a young Belgian defender waiting for his big move, a legendary forward rewriting history, or a manager building something fresh from the foundations left behind, the heartbeat of Anfield continues to echo around the world.
And so, as the lights shine on the red half of Merseyside once again, Liverpool’s journey toward the next chapter carries on — full of ambition, strategy, and the unbreakable belief that the best is still to come
