After Dayot Upamecano blow, Liverpool should go all out for player Luis Suarez knows well
Liverpool’s search for a centre-back continues after they were dealt a blow in their pursuit of Bayern Munich centre-back Dayot Upamecano.
After Giovanni Leoni’s injury against Southampton, Liverpool are short in numbers at centre-back and Arne Slot urgently needs to sign cover in the January transfer window.
Liverpool missed out on Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi in the summer, with the 25-year-old continuing to flourish at Selhurst Park.
There are no guarantees that Crystal Palace will sanction the sale of Guehi in January, so Slot needs to be looking at alternative options.
Dayot Upamecano contract latest as Liverpool should sign Ronald Araujo
With Ibrahima Konate’s contract running out at the end of the season, Slot wanted to move for Frenchman Upamecano in January.
Bayern Munich wanted to extend Upamecano’s contract and now according to Christian Falk on X, [7 October], the first stage of a new deal has been agreed.
Liverpool should therefore pursue Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo, who is currently on the Red’s radar.
The Uruguayan, who has played with former Liverpool striker Luis Suarez, may be allowed to leave due to Barcelona’s financial situation.
| Minutes Played | 397 |
| Duels Won | 19 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 14 |
| Recoveries | 17 |
| Penalties Conceded | 1 |
The 26-year-old has vast experience in La Liga with 125 appearances in the competition, though is not a guaranteed starter for the club.
Araujo versatility can cover problem position
Araujo has also displayed previously his capability to play at right-back, a position Slot could also do with extra cover in.
Jeremie Frimpong’s attacking mindset means Slot already doesn’t trust the full-back defensively, with midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai having to fill in.
Conor Bradley is a fine back-up, but Slot needs to find a player who can be trusted from the start every week in the position.
Whilst Araujo may not the answer at right-back for the future, in the short-term the defender may be able to push Szoboszlai back into his favoured midfield role.
That extra versatility could prove crucial as Liverpool compete on all four fronts.