For any football club spending £414 million in a single transfer window—especially one that had just cruised to the Premier League title—you’d expect an injury to a young player to cause barely a ripple. Yet, after Liverpool’s summer spree to overhaul their attack and full-back positions, the club delayed addressing their defensive depth until late in the window.
What could’ve been a perfect 11/10 window slipped to a nine or ten when their late move for Marc Guehi collapsed—Crystal Palace rejecting Liverpool’s final bid at the last moment. To make matters worse, a series of departures, including Jarell Quansah’s transfer to Bayer Leverkusen, has left Arne Slot with limited defensive options. Giovanni Leoni, the promising 18-year-old who impressed on debut in the 2-1 League Cup win over Southampton, suffered an ACL injury soon after, leaving the Reds with only three senior centre-backs—two of whom have troubling injury records.
Ibrahima Konaté’s recent withdrawal from France duty has only heightened concerns at Anfield. With a defensive crisis looming, here are four free agents who could offer short-term cover—though Liverpool may need to get creative with their solutions.
Four Free Agents Liverpool Could Sign to Replace Leoni
Craig Dawson
If another injury were to strike, Liverpool would likely prioritise Premier League experience above all else. Craig Dawson, a battle-hardened defender who has impressed for West Brom and Wolves, fits that profile perfectly.
At 35, the 6ft 2in Englishman may not be the quickest, but his aerial dominance, leadership, and positional awareness remain top-notch. With 303 Premier League appearances to his name, he’s as steady a short-term option as they come.
Joel Matip
A sentimental yet practical choice, Joel Matip—who retired in 2024—remains a cult hero from the Jürgen Klopp era. Now 34, he knows Liverpool’s system and his former defensive partners inside out, meaning reintegration would be seamless.
Bringing Matip back could lift the dressing room and fanbase alike. Over 201 appearances, he helped deliver both the Premier League and Champions League to Anfield, and his experience could prove invaluable once more.
Takehiro Tomiyasu
Still just 26, Tomiyasu built a reputation at Arsenal as a disciplined, versatile defender—earning his own chant from the fans. Linked with AC Milan and Brighton over the summer, it’s surprising he remains unattached.
However, persistent calf and knee injuries have deterred clubs, with his recovery not expected to finish until late October. Yet, for Liverpool, taking a calculated gamble on the Japanese international might be worth it—high risk, high reward.
Daniel Amartey
After leaving Leicester City in 2023, Amartey joined Besiktas, making 27 appearances across competitions last season. Contract disputes, rather than performances, appear to be the reason for his current free-agent status.
For Liverpool, seeking only a short-term fix, concerns over attitude issues are secondary. His strength and versatility could make him a practical stopgap option.
Current Players Who Could Fill the Void
Liverpool’s hierarchy rarely panics, and Fenway Sports Group are unlikely to dive into the free-agent market. However, doing nothing could evoke memories of the 2020/21 defensive crisis, when injuries forced Jordan Henderson and Fabinho into defence and Ozan Kabak’s ill-fated spell exposed the club’s vulnerability.
Under Arne Slot, Wataru Endo and Milos Kerkez have already been tested at centre-back, while Andrew Robertson and Ryan Gravenberch could drop deeper if needed. Meanwhile, Rhys Williams—once a promising prospect—remains the only other natural central defender available, though confidence in him has waned since the Klopp era. For many fans, his name might come as a reminder of a chapter they’d rather forget.
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