'The one': Steve Nicol names the long-term answer to Liverpool's centre-back issues and who they should avoid

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Liverpool need to sort out their centre-back options after Ibrahima Konate’s poor start to the season.It has been a hard week for fans as Arne Slot’s side lost three games in a row across the Premier League and Champions League.The defeats in the league have taken them down to second in the table, one point behind last season’s title rivals Arsenal, which has changed the face of the race so early on.One of the recurring issues in the squad has been the defence, with Konate taking the brunt of the criticism after his unusually bad displays, as fans worry the Real Madrid rumours may be affecting him.Liverpool had the chance to sort their problems at centre-back in the summer transfer window and were close to signing Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day before the deal collapsed with hours to spare.Photo by Crystal Pix/MB Media/Getty ImagesSteve Nicol says Liverpool need Marc Guehi as a long-term solutionThe Crystal Palace captain was set to leave the club for £35 million, but now has to wait until the end of his contract in 2026 to become a free agent.Slot’s side are likely to lead the way in bringing the England international to Anfield, but face competition from clubs across the world.It does not fix the problem they have at the moment with the 26-year-old Frenchman, but Steve Nicol believes Guehi will be needed as the long-term solution to the issue.Speaking during ESPN FC, the former Red explained that Liverpool should be looking to buy a player in the January window as a short-term fix before going for the 25-year-old next summer.Nicol said: “I think Guehi is absolutely the one, but right now, you have to be able to. I mean, there is no question right now, Konate is struggling big time.

And whilst there is not the ability really to make a like-for-like replacement for him to give him a break or to get back in form, then they have to sign somebody, in my opinion, in January.“If it means it is someone who just does a job, then that is what they have to do. I think in the long-term, Guehi would be the answer, but right now, Konate and Liverpool are showing that they need some strength in the back.“Maybe a Joe Gomez coming back and staying fit, but then again, can you rely on that?

I don’t think so, so in January I think they need to go and strengthen, and as I said short-term replacement and then you get the man you really want next summer in the transfer window.”Steve Nicol’s funny reaction to Liverpool being linked with Ronald AraujoThere are not many short-term fixes that are really on the market for the club unless they want to try and find a niche player for cheap, but it is doubtful that Slot would want to panic buy in January.However, the one issue Liverpool may run into with Guehi is the competition for his signature, so looking at other options at centre-back has been on the agenda for some time.Dayot Upamecano was one of the rumoured names, but another is Ronald Araujo, who plays for Barcelona.The Uruguayan is rated by some in football, but not Nicol, who pulled a face at the mere mention of his name and gave a funny response to the idea of Liverpool exploring him as an option.He said: “Please don’t say that. No thanks, we are good thanks.”It seems the Scotsman may not be keen on him, and luckily for Nicol, the rumours do not seem to hold too much weight at this moment in time.