Arne Slot's Liverpool are facing a defensive crisis, and their window of opportunity to do something about it in the January transfer market is drawing closer to shutting
Liverpool's fortunes have gone from bad to worse in recent weeks and their misery was compounded during their defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday. The Reds dropped out of the Champions League places, as a result of Manchester United's win over Arsenal, but for Arne Slot the pressure is mounting on his position at Anfield.
Speculation has suggested that Xabi Alonso is waiting in the wings and rumours have gone as far as "secret meetings" taking place. The Dutchman stood defiant during his press conference ahead of their final Champions League group stage match against Qarabag on Wednesday night, Liverpool will qualify for the Round of 16 - avoiding the two-legged playoff - with a win over the Azerbaijan side.
With Joe Gomez injured and Ibrahima Konate out due to a family matter, their options are limited at the back and Virgil van Dijk will currently stands as the only recognised central defensive option at the disposal of the Premier League champions.
With that, Mirror Football has taken a look at the latest Liverpool transfer rumours.
Liverpool 'trying' to sign Jacquet
Liverpool are trying to sign Rennes defender Jeremy Jacquet, according to Fabrizio Romano.
However, the Reds face a battle with Chelsea and Bayern Munich in the race to land the highly-rated stoppers' signature. Liam Rosenior's side were said to have been in advanced negotiations with the 20-year-old regarding personal terms but the Ligue 1 side are reportedly keen on keeping him until the summer.
Romano has claimed that Liverpool and Chelsea are pushing for a January move while Bayern are weighing up a move in the summer.
Speaking on YouTube, the reporter said: "I wanted to mention the situation of Jeremy Jacquet because Chelsea remain absolutely in the conversation for this exciting French defender from Rennes. It's a big battle, all of these clubs are talking to the player's camp to understand what can they do.
"Chelsea made progress their side, in terms of numbers on the contract, Chelsea are already in advanced conversations but not yet with Rennes.
"Rennes want to keep the player in January and let him go in the summer. Let's see what happens because Liverpool are trying, Chelsea are trying and Bayern are trying for the summer. For Bayern, Jeremy Jacquet is an opportunity, as was Marc Guehi because they wanted Kim Min-Jae, who can leave the club in the summer transfer window.
"Chelsea and Liverpool would love to do the business now but Rennes insist that the player is available in the summer, not in January. Let's see what will happen for one of the most exciting defenders around Europe."
Slot confirms Robertson plan
Slot expects Andy Robertson to remain at Liverpool after talks were shelved over a January move to Tottenham Hotspur.
The North London club were eyeing a switch for the Scotland international this month, accelerating their interest over a summer transfer, as they look to transform their fortunes in the second-half of the season.
Robertson is out of contract in the summer and revealed talks over a possible extension but has found minutes limited following the summer arrival of Milos Kerkez.
Speaking on Tuesday, the Dutchman said: "Robbo is part of the team tomorrow evening and he has been apart of this squad for many years.
"Happy to have him, it's good that he's available because that's quite important for us at the moment, to have players available. Nothing happened my side. It's hard to say anything definite with the world we live in [whether he stays this month] but I expect him to say, yes."
Liverpool goalkeeper linked with loan
In terms of outgoings, according to The Athletic, Fabian Mrozek is closing in on a move to Major League Soccer side FC Cincinnati.
The Polish goalkeeper is said to be on the verge of joining the MLS outfit on loan, with an obligation to buy. Mrozek, who spent time on loan at Forest Green Rovers in the National League last season, is said to become the club's third-choice goalkeeper.
Any permanent move would see the 22-year-old end his six-year association with the club after joining from Polish club FC Wroclaw for £250,000.
Since then, he has made 17 appearances for the under-21s in Premier League 2. The orange and blue finishing second in the Eastern Conference and overall in the MLS lat seasom before they were eliminated in the MLS Cup semi-finals by Lionel Messi's Inter Miami.