Below is a summary of the full article. Click here for the full version or go back to LFC Live.net

Image Credits: Getty Images

Liverpool’s pre-season has exposed a defensive fragility that needs to be fixed soon, with manager Arne Slot openly admitting his side are conceding “too many goals”.

The Community Shield defeat to Crystal Palace highlighted systemic issues that have plagued the Reds throughout their summer preparations.

Despite dominating possession and creating chances, Liverpool surrendered leads twice in a 2-2 draw before losing on penalties.

The pattern has been consistent – conceding four goals to AC Milan in Hong Kong, two to Athletic Bilbao, and repeatedly being exposed on the counter-attack.

Most concerning is Liverpool’s centre-back shortage becoming increasingly apparent.

With Jarell Quansah sold to Bayer Leverkusen and Joe Gomez sidelined with an Achilles injury, Slot has been left with just two recognised centre-backs heading into the new campaign.

And it seems the club is well aware of this, and could sign two centre-backs this month if conditions allows.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Fabrizio Romano reported that Parma’s Giovanni Leoni and Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi are not mutually exclusive options – and that the club may well sign both if the opportunity arises:

“Liverpool keep working on both sides.

It’s not one or the other,” the Italian said.

“For Giovanni Leoni, I maintain my position.

Liverpool really like the player and believe Leoni is a top talent, but at the moment there is no official bid to Parma.”

“The appreciation is 100% confirmed and I think Liverpool have something more than just appreciation for this player.

They’ve started to think about signing him.”

“Marc Guehi is a different situation, out of contract next summer, for Palace to lose him on a free would be a disaster, so for all parties to try and do business in these final 20 days is still a possibility.”

The Italian then maintained that the club “will” sign a centre-back but stressed that time will reveal how the club approaches the position:

“I don’t think these two are necessarily something where one is killing the other,” the transfer journalist explained:

“We have to see what’s going to happen, Liverpool are working on both and considering both opportunities, based on the money involved.”

“That’s obviously going to be important, and as soon as they have free air with the financial situation, we will see how they decide to proceed.”

“They want to sign a centre-back.

They will sign a centre-back?

We will see what’s going to happen, because Guehi and Leoni are not necessarily alternatives.”

DaveOCKOP exclusively revealed on Monday that Liverpool is expected to hold talks this week coming for Marc Guehi.

Guehi is a key defensive target for Reds with much of the groundwork for a potential transfer already in place.

The 24-year-old only wants to join Liverpool should he leave Crystal Palace.

Want to get the latest Liverpool news direct to your phone