Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola has hinted heavily that a new defender must be signed during the transfer window, with the Reds' defensive options currently thin due to injuries and departures this summer.
Defensive shortage highlighted
Iraola made clear the requirement for reinforcements while speaking in Chicago on Tuesday at the start of the pre-season tour to the United States, where World Cup absentees have exacerbated the lack of available options. He explicitly stated a new right winger is needed, but also admitted defensive options are currently limited.
Giovanni Leoni and Jeremy Jacquet are regarded as the future after almost £100million was spent on the pair, but one is injured and neither has played a minute in the Premier League. At right-back, Conor Bradley will be first choice when fit, but Iraola admits that might not be for months.
Zabarnyi emerges as candidate
ECHO writers suggest Ilya Zabarnyi as a potential solution. The Ukraine international spent two years with Iraola at Bournemouth before a move to Paris Saint-Germain for £57million. Last season he started regularly in Ligue 1 but hardly at all in the Champions League, playing just seven of their Champions League games.
Zabarnyi can also play right-back and would add quality and experience to the Reds back line. At 23, he would help future-proof for the eventual departure of Virgil van Dijk. PSG would likely demand a significant fee, but the move could safeguard Liverpool's centre-back options for a lengthy time to come.
