Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has urged the club to sign a new defender before transfer deadline day.
The Reds dropped points for the second Premier League game running on Tuesday, being held to a 1-1 draw by surprise title challengers Nottingham Forest. Their lead at the top remains six points but Arsenal could close the gap to four on Wednesday.
Arne Slot's men have conceded 11 goals in their last nine games, a far cry from the defensive solidity which they showed early in the season. Slot was without Ibrahima Konate for the whole of December while fellow centre-back Joe Gomez remains injured.
Full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have also not been at their best in recent weeks, leaving Virgil van Dijk exposed at the heart of defence. That's why Carragher wants Liverpool to delve into the market before the transfer window closes on Monday, February 3.
"Liverpool should've won tonight," Carragher posted after Tuesday's match. "But they continue to create big chances even in the games they don't win, but the defensive solidity they had at the start of the season has gone. Always look likely to concede. Buy a defender!!!!"
The Reds have had a quiet month so far but recent results could prompt them to change their plans. Sporting director Richard Hughes has only wrapped up two transfers since his arrival six months ago; paying £10million to sign Federico Chiesa, who's barely played, and signing goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili for £25m, although he'll only join Slot's squad next season.
The Dutchman appears to be happy with his lot, saying in his post-Forest press conference: "I think you saw today again that I can still strengthen the team or impact the game with the substitutes I have on the bench. Not for the first time this season, these players have helped us, that I could bring in."
Slot said earlier this month: "This club has always looked at the market. We did this with the goalkeeper that we don't even have yet. If there is a chance in the market, this club always tries to bring that chance in. The team is in a good place.
"Unfortunately Joe Gomez is injured, and that means we go from four center-backs to three, but he will be back in a few weeks. I'm very happy with the team, and I think they deserve that trust from the club and from me, if you look at the performances they've brought in during the first half of the season."
Liverpool are back in action away to Brentford on Saturday.