Liverpool are already under pressure after a bruising start to October, and now it looks like the club is preparing to act fast when the January transfer window opens. After three consecutive defeats in all competitions and a string of defensive disasters, reports suggest the Reds are weighing up new options to strengthen their backline. According to talkSPORT, Arne Slot’s team is seriously considering moves for Sporting Lisbon duo Ousmane Diomande and Zeno Debast, as the club faces an unexpected defensive crisis and the need to rebuild the spine of the team before it’s too late.
It’s been a difficult few weeks for Liverpool fans. The season began with so much promise — free-flowing football, high pressing, smiles all around. But football can be cruel, and the Premier League is a league that punishes even the smallest weakness. The recent run of games exposed Liverpool’s defensive flaws. The usually reliable Virgil van Dijk has looked a shadow of his former self, struggling to control games and losing the commanding presence that once made him the world’s best defender. His leadership remains strong, but age and fatigue are starting to show in moments that once came naturally.
Beside him, Ibrahima Konaté has struggled too. Injuries have disrupted his rhythm, and his confidence has dipped. The Frenchman’s physicality and recovery pace used to be vital for Liverpool’s high line, but lately, he’s been caught out too often. Then came the cruelest blow of all — Giovanni Leoni’s devastating ACL injury. The young defender, who had shown promise and energy, will now be sidelined for nearly a year. His absence not only weakens the defence but also removes an option for the future, forcing Liverpool to rethink their entire defensive plan.
That’s where Ousmane Diomande and Zeno Debast come in. The club’s scouting network has been tracking both for months, and sources close to the club believe one of them could be wearing the red shirt come January. Diomande, the 21-year-old Ivory Coast international, is the more likely target. Standing over six feet tall, he combines strength with composure, a defender who reads the game well but also loves to step forward and start attacks. His ability to pass under pressure and his calmness on the ball make him a perfect fit for Arne Slot’s possession-based system.
Sporting Lisbon value Diomande at around £39 million, according to Transfermarkt, and while that is a significant fee, it’s far from the outrageous sums we’ve seen in recent windows. His contract runs until 2027, but with only about 18 months before its final year, Sporting might see January as the perfect time to cash in. For Liverpool, it could be the right move at the right time — a chance to bring in a young, athletic defender who could learn from Van Dijk and grow into a long-term leader.
Then there’s Zeno Debast. The Belgian defender, also just 21, plays for Anderlecht and has earned praise for his intelligence, positioning, and technical ability. He’s valued at around £26 million, meaning Liverpool could sign him for a relatively affordable price. Debast is not as physically dominant as Diomande, but he has that natural understanding of space and timing that modern defenders need. He’s calm, focused, and already has international experience with Belgium.
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The decision, however, is not straightforward. Liverpool spent heavily in the summer, investing in new midfield options and reinforcing several positions. With that in mind, the board will have to decide how much they’re willing to spend again in January. Financially, Liverpool are strong, but they are careful — they rarely panic-buy. Still, given the current circumstances, they may have no choice. The team has conceded five goals in their last three games and, more worryingly, looks fragile every time the opposition attacks.
Behind closed doors, Arne Slot and the recruitment team are already working through scenarios. They’re analysing how each player would fit the system, how much they’d cost, and how quickly they could adapt to the Premier League’s intensity. Slot’s approach to defending relies on intelligence and movement — it’s not just about physical power but also positioning and anticipation. Diomande seems like the more natural fit, especially with his combination of strength and technical quality.
Reports suggest that Sporting Lisbon might be open to negotiations if Liverpool make an early approach. The Portuguese club is known for developing talent and selling at the right time, and Diomande’s stock is high. There are whispers that other clubs — including Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain — are monitoring the situation, but Liverpool’s urgent need for a defender could make them act faster than anyone else.
As for Debast, Liverpool see him as a potential alternative if negotiations for Diomande become complicated. His age, price, and profile fit the club’s philosophy of building for the future. The Reds have a long history of trusting young defenders — from Joe Gomez’s early breakthrough to the rise of Trent Alexander-Arnold — and Debast could be the next in that line.
Still, the question remains: will Liverpool act aggressively in January, or will they try to manage with what they have? Van Dijk, Konaté, Gomez, and Quansah are the current options, but the injury list and fixture congestion make that a risky plan. With the Premier League title race heating up and the Champions League knockout stages approaching, depth will be crucial. One more injury at the back could spell disaster.
The decision also depends on Van Dijk’s long-term future. The Dutch captain, now in his mid-thirties, remains a key figure, but time catches up with everyone. The club knows that a successor must be prepared soon. Diomande, at just 21, represents everything Liverpool looks for — youth, potential, and a hunger to prove himself at the highest level. He could be groomed as the next leader of the defence, learning from Van Dijk before taking over the mantle.
Slot, meanwhile, is staying calm in public. He has refused to blame individual players or injuries for the team’s form. Instead, he’s spoken about details — defensive transitions, spacing, and structure. He believes that small improvements can make a big difference, but even he knows that personnel matters. Without enough depth, no tactics can fix every problem.
Fans, however, are becoming restless. After such a strong start to the season, expectations were high. The three consecutive defeats have brought back memories of past struggles, and supporters are demanding answers. Social media is full of debate — some blame the defence, others the midfield, and a few question Slot’s tactical choices. But one thing everyone agrees on is that the team needs reinforcement in January.
Talks about Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi have also resurfaced. The England international has long been admired by Liverpool scouts, and some reports suggest the Reds could revisit that deal in the summer. For now, though, Diomande appears to be the priority. His age, contract situation, and profile all make sense. Liverpool want players who can grow, not just plug gaps temporarily.
At Anfield, the recruitment model has always been strategic. The club rarely buys players without a clear long-term plan. Every signing must fit the team’s style and mentality. It’s the same philosophy that brought success under Jurgen Klopp and is now continuing under Slot. Diomande and Debast are not just names — they represent the next phase of Liverpool’s evolution.
In Portugal, Sporting fans already know Diomande could leave soon. His performances have drawn attention from across Europe. He’s calm under pressure, fast for his size, and reads the game like a veteran. In matches where Sporting have faced top opposition, he’s often the standout. His confidence on the ball would make him perfect for Liverpool’s build-from-the-back approach. Slot’s teams rely heavily on centre-backs who can initiate play, and Diomande fits that mould perfectly.
As January approaches, negotiations will likely intensify. Liverpool’s scouts are expected to attend several of Sporting’s upcoming games, monitoring not just Diomande’s defensive work but also his fitness and leadership qualities. If everything goes well, a formal approach could be made as early as December.
The challenge, however, is that Sporting know Liverpool are desperate. That could raise the price. Clubs across Europe understand that when a Premier League giant needs reinforcement, the price tag climbs instantly. It’s a reality Liverpool have faced before. But with Champions League qualification and a potential title race on the line, they might not hesitate this time.
Zeno Debast, meanwhile, continues to impress in Belgium. His reading of the game, his calmness under pressure, and his technical polish make him a player worth watching. He’s already drawing comparisons to former Belgian greats like Vincent Kompany, and Liverpool know how rare that kind of defensive maturity is at such a young age. If they can bring him in for £26 million, it would be a bargain in today’s market.
As things stand, both players remain firmly on Liverpool’s radar. The club’s recruitment team, led by sporting director Richard Hughes, is analysing every option. The message from inside the club is clear: the team needs fresh legs in defence. The current setup is not sustainable for a long, competitive season.
It’s been a long time since Liverpool faced this kind of uncertainty. The era of dominance under Klopp had moments of chaos, but rarely did the team look so vulnerable at the back. Now, under Arne Slot, the rebuild is both exciting and challenging. He’s implementing a new style, managing transitions, and trying to instill confidence in players still learning his methods. The addition of one or two defenders in January could stabilize everything.
For Liverpool fans, hope remains. The club has a history of bouncing back when people start to doubt them. The current problems are real — the form is poor, the injuries are frustrating, and the defensive errors are costly — but the solutions are already in motion. The January transfer window could be the turning point.
Whether it’s Ousmane Diomande, Zeno Debast, or even a surprise target, one thing is certain: Liverpool cannot afford to stand still. The team’s ambition demands action, and Arne Slot knows it. He wants defenders who can think, lead, and dominate — not just for this season, but for years to come.
The next few months will define Liverpool’s direction. The scouting trips, the negotiations, the internal meetings — everything is building toward a decisive January. For now, the fans wait and hope, knowing that when the window opens, Liverpool will be ready to move. Because this team doesn’t accept decline; it fights, it rebuilds, and it comes back stronger. And perhaps, somewhere in Lisbon or Belgium, the next great Liverpool defender is waiting for the call.
