Liverpool are preparing for a monumental season as they aim to claim a record-breaking 21st Premier League title.

The Reds moved level with fierce rivals Manchester United in titles during Arne Slot’s maiden campaign at Anfield, standing relatively unopposed for the majority of the season.

Slot has proven his Premier League-winning credentials, and even better, Richard Hughes has worked tirelessly throughout the summer to add proven star quality to the squad, most notably with the club-record acquisition of Florian Wirtz.



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While it is premature to make a justifiable Premier League title prediction, ex-Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has identified one flaw that could thwart the Reds’ hopes this season.

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It is impossible to deny that Liverpool are short in the centre-back department heading into the Community Shield clash against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

The Reds sold Jarrel Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen and are yet to replace the 22-year-old.

Furthermore, Joe Gomez is nursing yet another injury setback and has not featured once throughout pre-season.

Slot only selected one senior centre-back, Ibrahima Konate, in the two matches against Athletic Bilbao at Anfield on Monday to round off pre-season preparations, and the lack of depth in the position is becoming a serious cause for concern.

While speaking on The Overlap, Jamie Carragher asked Scholes who he believes will win the Premier League title this season.

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“[You] Can’t look past Liverpool, I don’t think.

If one of them gets injured, that could be an issue.”

With Trey Nyoni sustaining an injury against Bilbao, after his performance as a makeshift centre-back, Richard Hughes will soon be forced to direct his attention in the transfer market to the depleted backline.

Although all Liverpool supporters are excited about the prospect of adding Alexander Isak to a new-look attack, it is important that the club does not neglect other areas of the pitch.

The Reds’ last Premier League title defence must serve as a reminder, wherein Jordan Henderson and Fabinho often played centre-back to ease the ongoing injury crisis – Jurgen Klopp ended that season with Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips as the senior defensive pairing.

Also, Virgil van Dijk has recently turned 34, and while he has shown no signs of slowing down in the twilight years of his career, Slot will ultimately be forced to manage the captain’s minutes for the foreseeable future.

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And Konate’s long-term future at the club is far from certain, as Graeme Bailey exclusively revealed to Rousing The Kop that Liverpool are in negotiations with the Frenchman to extend his stay at Anfield, but he is now in the final year of his deal.

We are still weeks away from the transfer deadline slamming shut on 1 September, and the Reds cannot afford to begin another Premier League title defence short of options at the back.


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