The past week has seen Liverpool fans buzzing with excitement over the prospect of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak donning the famous red jersey. The Swedish striker’s flair and goal-scoring prowess have fueled dreams of a blockbuster signing to bolster Arne Slot’s attacking options. However, Saturday’s 4-2 preseason defeat to AC Milan at Hong Kong’s Kai Tak Stadium served as a stark wake-up call, exposing a far more pressing issue that demands immediate attention: Liverpool’s defensive frailties.
A Preseason Reality Check
While the transfer rumor mill churned with Isak speculation, Liverpool’s preseason clash against AC Milan offered a glimpse of Arne Slot’s new-look squad, featuring seven new signings. Having breezed past Preston and Stoke earlier, the Reds faced a sterner test against the Italian giants. Despite goals from Dominik Szoboszlai and Cody Gakpo, the 4-2 loss highlighted vulnerabilities that cannot be ignored as the Premier League champions gear up for their title defense.
On the ball, Liverpool showed promise, with Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, and Rio Ngumoha impressing. Off it, however, the Reds were exposed. Injuries and absences forced Slot to deploy a makeshift defense, with Ryan Gravenberch and Kostas Tsimikas partnering Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate. While Gravenberch acquitted himself well—arguably outshining Van Dijk, who struggled against Rafael Leao’s pace for Milan’s opener—the experiment underscored a glaring problem. Gravenberch, a midfielder, is not a long-term solution at center-back, and with Wataru Endo sidelined and Joe Gomez returning home with an Achilles injury, Liverpool’s defensive depth was laid bare.
The Defensive Crisis
As it stands, Liverpool’s senior center-back options are limited to Van Dijk, Konate, and Gomez. This is a precarious situation for a club with ambitions of competing on multiple fronts. Both Konate and Gomez have concerning injury histories, and relying on them for an entire season is a gamble Slot cannot afford to take. The decision to offload academy graduate Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen now looks like a misstep, with Slot himself admitting the squad lacks a direct replacement.
With the new Premier League season less than three weeks away, starting against Bournemouth, Liverpool cannot afford to enter the campaign with only three senior center-backs. Preseason results may not carry the weight of competitive fixtures, but the manner in which Milan exploited Liverpool’s defense—particularly in the absence of natural options—should set alarm bells ringing for Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes.
Why Isak Must Wait
Alexander Isak’s potential arrival would undoubtedly add firepower to Liverpool’s attack, but a new striker, no matter how prolific, cannot address the team’s defensive shortcomings. A world-class forward won’t stop goals leaking at the other end, and Saturday’s defeat was a reminder that Liverpool’s priorities must shift. The Reds need a reliable, high-quality center-back to shore up their backline before they can entertain thoughts of splashing out on attacking talent.
Marc Guehi, the Crystal Palace defender, has been heavily linked with Liverpool this summer. His composure, athleticism, and Premier League experience make him an ideal candidate to bolster the squad. However, the excitement around Isak has overshadowed Guehi’s potential move, with the Palace star’s contract situation—expiring in 2026—adding complexity. While waiting to sign him on a free transfer next year might be tempting, Liverpool cannot afford to delay. The need for a new defender is urgent, and Guehi, or another top-class center-back, must be prioritized.
The Bigger Picture
Arne Slot’s project at Liverpool is still in its infancy, and the Dutchman is rightly focused on molding his squad into a cohesive unit. The attacking talent at his disposal—Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Wirtz, and Ngumoha, to name a few—suggests the Reds have the firepower to challenge for silverware. But without a robust defense, those ambitions could crumble. Van Dijk, while still a commanding presence, cannot carry the backline alone, especially when forced to play alongside makeshift partners.
The transfer window is a balancing act, and Liverpool’s hierarchy must act decisively. A new center-back isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. Whether it’s Guehi or another target, Slot and Hughes must address this glaring gap before the season kicks off. Only then can Liverpool turn their attention to marquee signings like Isak.
Conclusion
The allure of Alexander Isak has captured the imagination of Liverpool fans, but the reality is far less glamorous. The Reds’ defensive vulnerabilities, exposed in their preseason defeat to AC Milan, demand immediate action. With limited senior center-back options and a season fast approaching, Liverpool’s transfer priority is clear: a new defender must come first. Until that need is addressed, dreams of Isak leading the line will remain just that—dreams.