Why signing Marc Guehi will not fix Liverpool's defensive issues under Arne Slot - opinion
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The Frenchman has struggled for form since August, but after Liverpool failed to sign Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day, Slot has had little choice but to keep picking him.Guehi continues to be linked with a move to Anfield, with some keen to push the narrative that the Crystal Palace captain would instantly solve Liverpool’s problems. However, while Guehi would be a welcome addition, the bigger issue lies elsewhere for Slot.Photo by Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty ImagesLiverpool must sort their full-backs outIt is clear that Konate has been out of form this season, leaving Liverpool exposed in defence.The 26-year-old has not looked completely himself, leading to suggestions that his head is already away from Anfield.
With his contract expiring next summer, the rest of his body could soon follow.READ MORE: Three things we learnt from Liverpool vs Man City as Reds’ abysmal away form continuesWith only Joe Gomez in reserve, Slot has had little choice but to keep playing Konate. But even when the centre-back has played well, Liverpool have still conceded goals.The reasons for this are multiple, and can even be tracked to the Reds midfield, who are often far too open and easy to play through.But in the opinion of Rousing The Kop, Slot’s biggest problem lies with his full-backs.
The Liverpool head coach is suffering after changing both left and right-backs this summer.Milos Kerkez has been a disaster on the left, and while Andy Robertson has been better after winning his place back recently, he has also shown why Liverpool were so keen to replace him.Robertson failed to close Matheus Nunes down for Man City’s opener on Sunday, and while the decision to rule out Virgil van Dijk’s first half header was ludicrous, the Scotsman should never have been caught offside to begin with.The chopping and changing between Kerkez and Robertson has led to uncertainty, while a similar scenario has also played out on the opposite flank.Injury to Jeremie Frimpong has allowed Conor Bradley to cement himself, and although the 22-year-old has largely done well, he is still young and is prone to rashness and inconsistency.Liverpool knew they could count on Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold at full-back for years, with real stability formed in the back line as a result. As a result, Liverpool would surely be better simply by swapping Konate for Guehi right now.However, the deeper issue of having a lack of consistency in the back four will still remain, and while it does, Liverpool’s defensive problems are going nowhere.Kerkez’s form is playing a huge part in this, and once the Hungarian settles down, he is likely to become Slot’s main man at left-back.