Jamie Carragher urged Liverpool to sign a defender after being left unimpressed with Sunday's 2-2 draw at home to Manchester United, and three days later Jarell Quansah suffered an injury scare.

Quansah was named ahead of Ibrahima Konate in Arne Slot's team to face Tottenham in the first-leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday. However, his evening lasted just 30 minutes after signaling to the Liverpool bench that he needed to be replaced.

Endo came on for Quansah even though Konate was on the bench, with the Frenchman only just returning from injury. Slot confirmed after Liverpool ended up losing 1-0 that Quansah was ill rather than injured, but Carragher's plea may now be taken seriously by the club.

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With Joe Gomez suffering a hamstring injury during Liverpool's 5-0 win over West Ham on Dec. 29, the Reds have been left short at the back. Konate has just returned from injury but struggled to adjust to the pace against United on Sunday, and Liverpool never replaced Joel Matip when he decided to retire last summer.

Although Liverpool may have escaped an injury to Quansah, it's highlighted how problematic it would be if another defender was lost. Liverpool dropped two points at home to United in the Premier League on Sunday, and Carragher is concerned that a lack of defensive options may cost the Reds in the title race.

Liverpool is now six points clear of Arsenal at the top of the Premier League with a game advantage, but with 19 games still left to play, there's a long way to go. Carragher was alarmed on Sunday, and wants Liverpool to sign another defender in the January transfer window to assist the title charge.

"Arsenal are better than Liverpool defensively, Liverpool are better going forward, they create more chances and score more goals," Carragher said on Gary Neville’s Sky Sports podcast. "Liverpool looked really strong defensively earlier in the season but they’re starting to leak goals and that’s my worry with the team and the full-back areas.

"It doesn’t sound like they will but I still feel Liverpool need to buy a defender in January. But Liverpool in the full-back areas… Andy Robertson is hanging on for dear life, he’s been a legend for this club but it feels like he’s involved in a lot of goals at the minute, he just feels half a yard short.

"Van Dijk saved Liverpool a lot today, he’s probably having to work too hard, and that’s the one thing that can stop Liverpool from winning the league, the full-back areas." While Carragher wants Liverpool to sign a full-back, a central defender is also required.