Liverpool's Defensive Concerns: Iraola's Urgent Search for Reinforcements
Liverpool’s defensive alarm bells are ringing – and Andoni Iraola wants answers before a ball is kicked in anger.
The new head coach has moved quickly behind the scenes after a disjointed start to pre-season laid bare just how thin Liverpool are at centre-back. Club sources indicate he has made that area an absolute priority, pushing the recruitment team to accelerate work on bringing in an experienced defender.
The warning signs came early. In a friendly against Sunderland, Iraola had to turn to 18-year-olds Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe after Joe Gomez limped off inside the first 10 minutes. It was a glimpse of a reality Liverpool cannot afford once the competitive fixtures begin.
Virgil van Dijk remains on an extended break following the World Cup, while summer signings Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are still working their way back from injury. Strip away the youngsters and the makeshift options, and Liverpool’s senior core at the heart of defence suddenly looks alarmingly small.
Stones tops the list
That shortage has pushed Liverpool towards the market, with two England internationals at the forefront of their thinking: John Stones and Ezri Konsa.
Stones, now a free agent after leaving Manchester City, is viewed internally as a particularly attractive solution. At 32, he brings elite-level experience and a recent World Cup campaign under Thomas Tuchel that significantly boosted his stock. His performances on that stage have drawn interest from across Europe, the Premier League, MLS and the Saudi Pro League.
Liverpool, though, are firmly in the conversation. Stones is open to discussing a move to Anfield, according to sources, but he is also talking to Arsenal and Chelsea as he weighs what could be the final major move of his career. The decision will not be rushed, and the competition is serious.
Konsa’s versatility catches the eye
Konsa has emerged as another live option. The Aston Villa defender is admired not just for his quality at centre-back but for his ability to shift across to right-back when required – a trait Iraola is understood to value highly as he shapes a flexible, aggressive squad.
That versatility would give Liverpool an extra layer of security behind Trent Alexander-Arnold and offer tactical variety in how Iraola sets up his back line. Arsenal remain keen on Konsa, but Liverpool have now stepped into the race as they weigh up multiple defensive profiles.
Zabarnyi back on Iraola’s radar
One familiar name has also reappeared on Iraola’s desk: Illia Zabarnyi.
Liverpool have been made aware that the Paris Saint-Germain defender could become available, with the former Bournemouth centre-back frustrated by a lack of regular game time in France. Any deal would be complicated, but the relationship between player and coach is a significant factor.
Iraola knows Zabarnyi exceptionally well from their spell together on the south coast and remains a huge admirer of the Ukraine international. If the circumstances line up, he would welcome the chance to reunite.
Dream targets blocked in London
Alongside the more realistic moves, Liverpool’s recruitment team continue to keep tabs on two long-standing dream signings: Chelsea’s Levi Colwill and Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven.
Both are seen as ideal fits for the next phase of Liverpool’s rebuild, and the club would move quickly if either situation changed. For now, that feels distant. Indications from both London clubs are clear: there is no intention to sanction departures. As it stands, those deals sit firmly in the “highly unlikely” category.
Watching briefs on Silva and Diomande
Liverpool are also staying informed on two other admired centre-backs: Antonio Silva and Ousmane Diomande.
Silva is expected to complete a move to Bournemouth, while Nottingham Forest are advancing in talks for Diomande. Liverpool, long-term admirers of both, have continued to receive updates, aware that transfer plans can shift quickly in the final weeks of a window.
For Iraola, the picture is stark. A pre-season injury, a captain on extended leave and two new signings still recovering have combined to expose a fault line through the middle of his defence. The club’s response will shape not just his first months in charge, but Liverpool’s ability to compete on all fronts once the real tests arrive.
