'As things stand': David Ornstein says whether Liverpool are currently planning to sign a centre-back in January

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Liverpool are in desperate need of another centre-back after issues in the defence.Arne Slot’s side have struggled with keeping the ball out of the back of their own net this season, which has been partly down to the team’s performances and the backline’s displays.The Reds have faced two defeats this week, and in the Crystal Palace game, the defensive errors from Ibrahima Konate were too much to ignore.They have also faced a problem with choices for centre-halves because of the recent injury to Giovanni Leoni, who will be out until late 2026 at the earliest.Photo by Tom Dulat/Getty ImagesThis has been made all the more of an issue because Liverpool were unable to sign Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day because the deal with Palace collapsed at the last second.Liverpool will not go for Marc Guehi in JanuaryThe Englishman was seen as the last piece of the puzzle for Slot’s side, but the club left trying to get his signature until the very end of summer, which is a poor decision in hindsight.Guehi revealed it was ‘easy’ to move on from the Liverpool deal, but the Merseyside club are reeling from their decision, given the errors they have had this season.David Ornstein has also dampened any hope of the club going back in for the 25-year-old defender in January despite the issues facing their defence.In an interview with NBC Sports, the respected journalist spoke of how, with the deal collapsing, a January swoop is highly unlikely.Ornstein said: “They tried for Marc Guehi. It collapsed on deadline day and I think Liverpool would go back in for him in the summer of 2026.

I’m not expecting him to leave Crystal Palace in January. Actually, I’m not expecting Liverpool to go for a centre back in January as things stand.“Of course, these things could change, but I don’t think it’s a plan.”It is no surprise that they will not try for a deal in the winter transfer window because of how the Dutch coach likes to operate, bringing in all his players before pre-season starts.However, a change may be needed given the competition they face for him this summer.Liverpool are in competition with Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona for Marc GuehiIt is known that Real Madrid have been keeping a close eye on the talent, and the chance to sign him on a free next summer is very tempting for any club, but especially the Spanish side.Now it is not just Los Blancos competing for his signature with Liverpool, as Barcelona, Manchester City, and Bayern Munich are all lining up to provide some competition.READ MORE: Marc Guehi gives new instruction to agents ahead of January after missing out on Liverpool moveOrnstein revealed: “But they won’t have a clear run at Guehi because there’s going to be competition perhaps from the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester City.”It could be a tricky summer for the Reds next season, and it would be a huge disappointment if their top target was taken by one of their rivals in world football.