Jamie Carragher suggests Liverpool have ‘always lacked’ a key player he asked the Reds to sign in January

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This summer looks set to be a key period for the future of Liverpool Football Club.

The Reds currently sit top of the Premier League with a healthy 11 points lead over Arsenal in second place; however, in order to remain there, the Merseyside club will need to address several key issues in their squad.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
1	LiverpoolLiverpool	31	22	7	2	72	30	42	73
2	ArsenalArsenal	31	17	11	3	56	26	30	62
3	Nottm ForestNottingham Forest	31	17	6	8	51	37	14	57
4	ChelseaChelsea	31	15	8	8	54	37	17	53

With Darwin Nunez set to leave Liverpool at the end of the season, the Reds are in the market for a striker. In addition to that position, the Merseyside outfit will also be on the lookout for a left-back, a centre-back and a centre midfielder.

Jamie Carragher called for Liverpool to sign a specific type of player back in January and while analysing the performance of Arne Slot’s team against Fulham, the Sky Sports pundit has doubled down on what his former club needs ahead of the 2025/26 season.

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Jamie Carragher wants Liverpool to sign a specific defender

Speaking back in January, Carragher called for Liverpool to sign a left-sided centre-back who can also play as a left-back.

This type of player is seen at many top Premier League clubs, with Man City having Josko Gvardiol and Arsenal using Riccardo Calafiori in this way.

While analysing Fulham’s second goal against Liverpool on Monday Night Football, Carragher stated that Liverpool could have done with a left-footed centre-back as the Cottagers targeted Virgil van Dijk due to the Dutch star being right-footed.

“Reasons Why Fulham have pushed it to Van Dijk is, and something Liverpool have always lacked, is a left-footed center back,” Carragher said on Sky Sports.

“The reason, I think Virgil van Dijk probably goes to Andy Robertson as it is the obvious pass; of course, it’s not a bad pass, but maybe a left-footed center back with the quality of a Van Dijk, maybe could actually go there (long).

“If it’s on the right side, he’s got that passing range in his locker and that’s why, I think Fulham pushed it this side, pushed Van Dijk onto his left foot, because we know he can’t play that pass.”

• READ MORE: Man United legend Paul Scholes hits out at Virgil van Dijk after Liverpool lose against Fulham

Left-footed center-backs admired by Liverpool

With Andy Robertson’s starting role at Liverpool in doubt, it would be very beneficial for Liverpool to sign a left-footed centre-back who can also play as a left-back this summer.

The Reds have been linked to several players who fit this profile, but it remains to be seen if the Merseyside club make an official move for any star.

Liverpool have been linked to Ajax’s Jorrel Hato for a while now as the 19-year-old ticks all the boxes for the Merseyside club. The Dutch talent is left-footed, can play at left-back, and is a young player who can be rotated and developed further.

Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck is another name on Liverpool’s list as the German star can also perform the role Carragher has asked for.

Dortmund want to keep the defender next season and beyond, however, Liverpool may be in with a chance of signing the player if they make a move for the 25-year-old during the summer.