Liverpool go into Sunday’s clash with Arsenal looking to right the wrongs of last season.
The Reds headed to the Emirates in early February with a five-point lead over their Premier League title rivals.
However, a lacklustre performance from Liverpool proved to be a turning point in both team’s seasons, with Arsenal going on to finish ahead of the Reds in second place.
The Liverpool squad who travel to North London this weekend is very much the same as the one which so disappointed eight months ago.
Meanwhile, Arsenal have done little business themselves, Italian defender Riccardo Calafiori one of only two major additions Mikel Arteta made.
Calafiori was linked with Liverpool before joining the Gunners for £42m. And according to Jamie Carragher, Arne Slot could really do with a player like the Italian.
Liverpool urged to sign player in Riccardo Calafiori mould
Despite signing only Federico Chiesa this summer, Liverpool look really strong during the early parts of the campaign.
Nevertheless, there is still a feeling that they are one or two additions short of truly challenging.
To many, the biggest hole in the squad is in midfield, where fans remain hopeful that Liverpool may do something in January.
But according to Carragher, the Reds should also be looking at bringing in a ‘multi-purpose’ left-sided defender. Writing in The Telegraph, the Liverpool legend suggests three players Slot can look at as examples of what he needs.
READ MORE: Jamie Carragher explains what he wants to see more of from Dominik Szoboszlai
“Liverpool also need another defender,” says Carragher.
“I have been saying for a few years that the club needs a multi-purpose defender on the left – someone who can cover for Andrew Robertson or play centre-half without weakening the back line.
“Manchester City have those utility defenders in Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol. Arsenal’s Riccardo Calafiori comes into the same category.”
Castello Lukeba could be the one Liverpool want
Obviously there is no chance of Liverpool signing any of the three players Carragher mentions.
Gvardiol was strongly linked with Liverpool before joining City and would have no doubt been an ideal signing
But the Croatian was also incredibly expensive. The Reds clearly didn’t think they could justify his arrival in 2023.
18 months on, though, and it looks like Liverpool are targeting the man who was brought in to replace Gvardiol at RB Leipzig.
There have been claims that Liverpool want to sign Castello Lukeba and the left-footed defender would look like exactly the kind of player Carragher is talking about. Let’s see if that progresses any further.
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