Liverpool transfer news: What Giovanni Leoni injury means for Marc Guehi January window plan as Arne Slot depth questioned

Liverpool will almost certainly be forced to act in the January transfer market in response to Giovanni Leoni's injury, Reds transfer expert David Lynch has claimed.

Leoni started against Southampton in the EFL Cup on Tuesday but was stretchered off in the second half as he had suffered an ACL injury, with Arne Slot confirming that the defender will be out for around a year.

The club are now left with just three senior centre-back options in Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate, though the latter two have frequently suffered injuries.

Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch insisted that the Reds must sign a defender in the winter, saying: "I've seen a few ACLs in my time, so it's a massive concern - Liverpool do have to go into the market in January. Sometimes too many react to injuries by saying they have got to immediately go into the market.

"Chelsea over the summer got an injury to Delap, and they react by not allowing Nicolas Jackson to leave. That's nonsense when it's just a couple of months, but if you are in September and you lose someone for the remainder of the season, that's a significant enough injury blow to change their transfer plans.

"With Liverpool, Endo can play there, Gravenberch can play there but do you really want to see that when you're pushing in all four competitions which is the aim this season?"

Liverpool had reportedly decided against moving for Crystal Palace centre-back Marc Guehi in the January transfer window, but while they could sign him for free in the summer, they may need him in the winter if they wish to go deep in multiple competitions.

Giovanni Leoni injury: How big of a blow is it to Arne Slot?

Though Leoni is just 18 years old, he was arguably more impressive against Southampton than his partner Gomez, with the Italian winning four of his five duels.

Centre-back Konate struggled against Palace in the Premier League on Saturday when the Reds lost 2-1, and his performances this campaign have been mixed.

Lynch expressed his sadness that Leoni will not get a chance to showcase his qualities and compete for a starting spot, when he told Sports Mole: "The first thing to say about it is that it's a major blow because Giovanni Leoni looked absolutely fantastic on his debut, up to the point he gets injured. He was one of Liverpool's best players.

"Leoni was so composed, he didn't look rushed at any point when Southampton pressed - they pressed well in the game - but he never seemed flustered. He was really good on the ball and very calm. Whenever there was a ball bouncing around him, a bit of chaos ongoing, he seemed to bring it down very coolly.

"He ensured Liverpool kept possession, he won his aerial duels, he won his challenges and it was a really good performance so that is why it's particularly gutting to see him leave the field on a stretcher, that he won't be an option."

Konate has just a year left on his contract, and there are fears that his head may have been swayed by rumours of Real Madrid's interest in him.

Liverpool squad: Do Reds have enough players to win the Premier League?

The injury to Leoni means that the Reds are short at centre-back, but some fans have raised concerns about the depth of the team across multiple positions.

Hugo Ekitike was absent on the weekend, and without him as an option from the bench, Arne Slot's side struggled to create as many meaningful opportunities late on when Alexander Isak tired.

Lynch argued that the Reds will need to be lucky to get by with their squad as it currently stands, telling Sports Mole: "With all the chat about Isak, Ekitike has come in and scored five goals in eight appearances for Liverpool. Those are Isak-type numbers that you would not necessarily expect from him.

"At the back, Liverpool need a proper centre-half given Leoni is going to necessitate nine months or so on the sidelines. Liverpool have to sign in January if they have any hopes of going deep in all four competitions.

"Slot could get by in the Premier League and the Champions League with the squad as it is if if they get a bit of luck, but the aim is to go for all four trophies and it remains to be seen how far they can reach with things as they are."

Liverpool's depth is sure to be tested in the winter period when Mohamed Salah leaves to play in the Africa Cup of Nations, and it is uncertain if Gomez and Konate will be able to maintain their fitness levels across the season.