Liverpool manager Arne Slot has received pointed advice on a potential transfer move that could simultaneously bolster his own squad and severely damage Arsenal's Premier League title ambitions. This comes as Reds captain Virgil van Dijk pinpointed a persistent defensive frailty as a "killer" issue hampering their campaign.
Ex-Defender Urges Slot to Target Arsenal's Timber
Despite a 10-point gap separating Liverpool from league leaders Arsenal, former Anfield defender Stephen Warnock has advised Slot to make a bold move for Gunners star Jurrien Timber. Speaking to Aceodds, Warnock highlighted Liverpool's ongoing inconsistency at right-back, where neither Conor Bradley nor summer signing Jeremie Frimpong have cemented the role.
Warnock argued that signing a top-quality right-back is as crucial as recruiting a centre-back. He identified Timber, lauded for his defensive strength, composure, and robust return from an ACL injury, as the ideal candidate. "In an ideal world I would bring in Jurrien Timber but I don’t think Arsenal would allow that," Warnock admitted, while praising the Dutch international as "the best right back in the league."
Such a transfer, however improbable, would theoretically strengthen Liverpool while stripping a key pillar from Mikel Arteta's well-balanced squad, which has topped the table for 12 consecutive weeks.
Van Dijk Fumes Over 'Killer' Set-Piece Problem
While transfer speculation swirls, a more immediate concern for Slot is a glaring defensive weakness. Liverpool have conceded a joint-high 12 goals from set-pieces this Premier League season, a record they share with Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest.
Captain Virgil van Dijk openly lamented this trend, labelling it a "killer" for the team. The issue was starkly evident in their recent 2-1 win over Wolves, where Santiago Bueno scored from a corner, and in the preceding match where Richarlison scored after the Reds failed to clear a corner.
"There have been plenty of games when we have defended them very well," Van Dijk stated. "But the fact is we've conceded too many set-piece goals... It's something we have to improve. I would say at least 75% of the time or even more, it's not even about the first contact. It's the second phase that is the killer." He added that he hoped the problem was not a mental one for the squad.
An Uphill Battle for the Reds
Currently on a three-match winning streak, Liverpool have fought their way back into the top four but face a formidable challenge to defend their title. Arsenal, Manchester City, and Aston Villa are all within three points of each other at the summit, making a top-four finish the more likely immediate objective for Slot.
The Dutch manager's task is clear: find a solution to the set-piece vulnerability that Van Dijk has highlighted, and continue to build a squad capable of closing the gap. Whether a sensational move for a key Arsenal player like Jurrien Timber is a feasible part of that plan remains highly doubtful, but it underscores the areas where pundits believe Liverpool must strengthen to compete.
