Arne Slot has played down the need for Liverpool to sign a new centre-back in January, instead hinting that the Reds will prioritise strengthening in other positions. The reigning Premier League champions saw a £35m move for Marc Guehi collapse on transfer deadline day and are currently down to three available senior centre-backs after Giovanni Leoni suffered a season-ending ACL injury on his debut back in September.

Liverpool have not been at their best defensively this season, conceding 27 goals from their 18 outings so far and keeping just four clean sheets during the campaign to date.

Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate in particular continues to be the subject of scrutiny following a run of poor performances, with his Anfield future also the subject of speculation ahead of his contract expiring next summer.

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Joe Gomez also faces an uncertain future, having been tipped for a move away in the summer prior to Guehi's transfer collapsing, while captain Virgil van Dijk will turn 35 ahead of next season when he heads into the final year of his own contract.

But Slot has dismissed the necessity for Liverpool to strengthen at centre-back in January.

And while he insisted the Reds' mid-season transfer plans are not his focus as things stand, given their recent struggles, he hinted that Liverpool are instead considering adding to their ranks in other positions amidongoing speculation linking the reigning champions with a January swoop for Antoine Semenyo.

"This is one of the questions I didn't expect, talking about signings and the winter break!" Slot said at his pre-match press conference ahead of the Reds' clash with Nottingham Forest. "I think there are so many games to play before that.

"And the position we are in, it is the last thing that is on my mind. Maybe not on Richard (Hughes)'s, but it is the last thing on my mind. It is not a topic for me at the moment.

"We have at this moment in time three centre-backs, with Joe Gomez included of course. And maybe Ryan (Gravenberch) and Wata (Endo)who can play in the positions.

"Maybe you are not aware of it yet but we have other positions, at the moment, which is a bit more of an issue."

Liverpool are reportedly one of the sides interested in signing Semenyo from Bournemouth in January, with the Ghana international said to have a £65m release clause in the new contract he signed last summer enabling him to move on for a cut-price fee when the transfer window re-opens.

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