Liverpool are unlikely to achieve any of their pre-season targets if they do not sign a new centre-back during the January transfer window.
The Reds are down to two fit central defenders, with far too much riding on the fitness of Ibrahima Konate.
While the Premier League title is now a write-off, Liverpool should still have ambitions of winning the Champions League and absolutely must re-qualify for the competition next season.
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Liverpool are reportedly on the verge of signing Joel Ordonez from Club Brugge, and although that is a good start, the 21-year-old is hardly going to come in and provide an immediate alternative to Konate.
Instead, Arne Slot must be looking at a more experienced option who can be relied upon in the biggest games. Marc Guehi’s arrival looks very unlikely, but with the Crystal Palace man potentially joining in the summer, Liverpool could look to Bayern Munich for a short-term fix.
Kim Min-Jae could offer Liverpool a solution
If Liverpool believe they can secure Guehi in the summer, then there is no real need to look for another permanent arrival such as Nico Schlotterbeck.
But with the Reds still needing something, perhaps a loan could be just the ticket. If they do go down that route, there are likely to be several options available, but Bayern’s Kim Min-Jae should be the most attractive.
As German journalist Florian Plettenberg reported on Thursday, Min-Jae is currently ruling out a mid-season exit from Bayern despite interest from plenty of European clubs.
However, with the Korean out of favour under Vincent Kompany, a move away ahead of the World Cup may be in his best interests.
Bayern could be open to moving a back-up player along, while Liverpool would be bringing in an experienced international who could temporarily bolster their ranks. Everybody wins.
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Liverpool have previous interest in Min-Jae
As recently as October there were suggestions that Liverpool are keeping an eye on Min-Jae’s situation at Bayern.
While it seems unlikely that a permanent transfer would be on the cards, there is a definite logic in Liverpool looking to take the 29-year-old on a six-month loan.
The Reds did something similar when faced with a centre-back crisis in 2020/21, signing Ozan Kabak on loan from Schalke.
Having already lined up a summer deal for Konate at the time, it was always unlikely Liverpool would permanently sign Kabak. Min-Jae’s situation would be similar.
Liverpool were reportedly in for Min-Jae before his move to Bayern in 2023, and if he still has admirers in the Anfield recruitment department, they should be sounding him out to see whether this is at all feasible. It could suit everyone.
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