Liverpool could be set for another raid on Newcastle United — this time for Dutch defender Sven Botman — as Arne Slot looks to reinforce his backline following Giovanni Leoni’s devastating ACL injury.
According to reports, the Premier League champions have begun “internal discussions” over signing a new centre-back in January, with Botman one of four names currently on the shortlist alongside Marc Guehi, Willian Pacho, and Sporting CP duo Zeno Debast and Ousmane Diomande.
Leoni’s injury — sustained on his Liverpool debut in the Carabao Cup — has left Slot with just Joe Gomez as cover behind the first-choice pairing of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté. The teenager’s absence for the remainder of the season has prompted the Reds to explore emergency reinforcements.
A Familiar Target Tops the List
While Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi remains the priority, Liverpool know it won’t be easy. Palace are flying high under Oliver Glasner, and with Guehi’s contract expiring next summer, the club faces a delicate balance between cashing in or risking losing him for free.
Guehi was close to a move to Anfield on deadline day, and sources suggest the 26-year-old still has his heart set on joining Slot’s project. But Palace’s form could make a January deal difficult.
Ambitious Moves in the Mix
Interest in Sven Botman and Willian Pacho represents the more ambitious end of Liverpool’s plans. Newcastle have no intention of losing another key player after the £125m sale of Alexander Isak to the Reds in the summer — a deal that already caused uproar on Tyneside. Meanwhile, PSG would demand a huge fee for Pacho, who is tied down until 2029.
That leaves Debast and Diomande as realistic winter targets — both young, physical, and technically strong defenders fitting Slot’s system.
Long-Term Plans Already in Motion
Beyond the backline, Liverpool are also beginning to plan for life after Mohamed Salah, whose contract runs until 2027. Slot reportedly has a dream successor in mind, but sources claim PSG are also circling the same player.
For now, though, the focus is on finding stability at the back. With the title race heating up and injuries mounting, January could be a decisive month for Slot’s evolving Liverpool era.
