Three NEW centre-back names on Richard Hughes' shortlist

Even though Liverpool have registered two clean sheets so far in the Premier League, the general consensus is that Arne Slot's defence is a little more porous this season.

Arsenal, for example, have four clean sheets across five games in all competitions and the eight defenders in their ranks present a serious threat to anyone who comes up against them - although the Reds were the source of the only goal they've conceded so far, so we have bragging rights.

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Behind the captain Virgil Van Dijk, you've got Ibrahima Konate who partners him more regularly than not, alongside uncapped teenager Giovanni Leoni and veteran Joe Gomez, who is often injured.

It should be unsurprising that Crystal Palace's captain Marc Guehi was targeted for a reason and if it becomes clear that Konate will not renew his contract, then replenishments might be sought in the January transfer window - with the Englishman not said to be one of the potential targets at that time.

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Instead, one of three centre-backs that are now on the Reds' radar might be targeted.

Liverpool have their pick with defenders

First up is a Premier League proven asset, who has made quite the impression at Brighton is Dutch 25-year-old Jan Paul van Hecke, a player who often partners Virgil Van Dijk for the Netherlands.

He was the Seagulls' player of the year for the 2024/25 campaign, which automatically makes a sale feel unlikely, but he's only contracted until 2027, meaning a collapse in contract negotiations could allow the Reds to make a move for him. The closer he gets to his deal expiring, the cheaper he'll be.

Currently reports are suggesting that is preference is to not extend his time on the south coast and the allure of playing Champions League football might tempt him into joining the six-time winners.

Furthermore, another option that Liverpool will consider is Ronald Araujo, an experienced Uruguayan defender at Barcelona, who has recently had his role reduced to the primarily sitting on the substitute bench following the emergence of Pau Cubarsi, despite him being contracted until 2031.

A €50m valuation has been put on his head and recent Spanish reports have mentioned the Reds as a potential destination for him, should his playing time frustrations boil over this season, although he wore the captains armband in the opening few games of the campaign. He needs more assurances.

And finally, we have Sam Beukema - a Dutch defender who moved from Bologna to Napoli this summer, which would usually bring an abrupt end to any possible transfer in the short-term future.

However, the reports are currently suggesting that Liverpool and Arne Slot's appreciation for him is so great that an ambitious move might be in the offing is the financial package offered to Napoli is of such a considerable amount that they feel it's logical to cash in on him so early on.

Of course, other options will pp up over the next few months before the January transfer window opens and a more realistic opportunity to sign a new defender might come in the summer instead.

But players are being considered already and all three of the options would make a significant difference to the squadron that Slot is currently picking from, making us even more defensively solid.

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