Liverpool given green light to sign defender ahead of Premier League rivals

Liverpool still have a lot of work that needs to be done to their first-team squad. Although they were unbeaten across all competitions until last Sunday, change is still needed.

Article continues under the video Admittedly, the fact that Bradley Barcola bagged himself a hat-trick against LASK on Wednesday evening will help his game improve but, there are many other areas among their squad that still need sorting out. This was made more than clear last term when the Anfield outfit finished fifth in the Premier League just a season after winning the title.

However, as much as Liverpool's attack is important, the other areas of their squad are now falling behind. But, fortunately for the Reds, they look like they've just been given the green light to sign one of their long-term targets.

During the summer, talk of Liverpool signing a player who can be used as a centre-back or a right-back was rife. That's because, last term, right-back was one of Liverpool's main issues with Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones often having to fill in at full-back due to the unavailability of Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong.

Both right-backs spent more time one the sidelines last term than they did playing for Liverpool so, in the end, Ronald Araujo was brought in as cover. The deal for Araujo is a season-long loan with a £47 million option to buy at the end of the season.

However, before the Uruguayan's transfer was confirmed, Jarell Quansah was linked with a return. When Liverpool sold the Englishman to Bayer Leverkusen last term, they included two years worth of buy-back clauses and, while the World Cup was on, fans expected Liverpool to activate it.

That obviously never happened which resulted in the Reds missing out on bringing the defender back. This then piqued the interest of Arsenal who made an enquiry.

Again, Quansah didn't end up joining them but, the interest of Liverpool and Arsenal in the Englishman has been well documented. But, thanks to a recent update from Christian Falk, the Gunners may about about to give Andoni Iraola a free run at bringing the Liverpool academy graduate back to L4.

"Arsenal are interested in signing Bayern Munich defender Kim Min-jae in the January transfer window," hewrote. "The Gunners signed Ezri Konsa during the summer transfer window, while William Saliba is also reportedly close to returning to full fitness."