Jamie Carragher thinks Liverpool are ‘almost certain’ to win the league if they sign one player in January. The Reds are yet to strengthen in the mid-season transfer window, with Federico Chiesa remaining their only addition since Arne Slot took over as head coach.

The lack of reinforcements has done nothing to hinder Liverpool on the pitch though, with the Reds currently four points clear at the top of the Premier League table and on the verge of progressing to the Champions League round-of-16.

Also contesting a League Cup semi-final with Tottenham Hotspur and facing an FA Cup fourth round trip to Plymouth Argyle, Liverpool have lost just twice from Slot’s first 31 matches.

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However, despite boasting the second best defensive record in the Premier League, the Reds’ backline has faced scrutiny in recent weeks.

Liverpool have kept 15 clean sheets so far this season and conceded 24 goals in all competitions. But they have only had one shutout since the start of December, while they have conceded three goals away at Tottenham Hotspur and Newcastle United, and two both away at Southampton and at home to Manchester United and Fulham.

The performances of full-backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson have both come under increasing scrutiny too, with the long-term futures of the pair both uncertain.

Meanwhile, Slot has also been struck by injuries at centre-back, with first Ibrahima Konate and now Joe Gomez being sidelined by lengthy lay-offs.

And having previously urged Liverpool to sign a new defender, Reds legend Carragher has insisted that his former club need to sign a left-sided defender who can play at both centre-back and left-back to enhance their hopes of winning the Premier League title.

“Liverpool haven’t got a player that every other club has,” he said, speaking on the Stick to Football podcast, brought to you by Sky Bet. “A left sided defender who can play centre-back or left back.

“Arsenal have got Riccardo Calafiori, Manchester United have got Lisandro Martínez, Chelsea have got Levi Colwill, Manchester City have got Nathan Ake and Josko Gvardiol, and even Tottenham have Micky van de Ven, who could do a little bit of left-back.

“Liverpool need… I’ve said this for a long time, they need that left sided defender who can sort of do a little bit of both. Stature, presence and just a bit more power.

“That’s my only… I think if Liverpool sign that player in January. Nothing’s been linked, but it’s crying out for. I think if Liverpool did that, I’d be almost certain that they’d win the league.”