Liverpool 'target' shock defender who would solve unseen issue that could derail Arne Slot's plans

Liverpool have been linked with a surprising new centre-back target as Arne Slot looks to bolster his back line.

The Reds have been linked with a spate of centre-backs throughout the summer, most notably Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi and Aston Villa Ezri Konsa.

Indeed, their current preferred pairing is made of a 34-year-old Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, who is entering the final year of his contract and linked with a move to Real Madrid.

And according to GIVEMESPORT, one player being targeted as a potential understudy, or even as a possible replacement for the pair is England U21 international and Toulouse centre-back Charlie Cresswell.

The 22-year-old is said to have been scouted by Liverpool on multiple occasions last term, and while the Reds are yet to have made a move for the defender, he is reportedly very much on their radar.

Cresswell joined Toulouse from Leeds a year ago, and impressed in his first season in Ligue 1.

Having come through the ranks at Leeds, Cresswell would count as a homegrown player, and thus be seamless to register.

Indeed, Liverpool have filled all 17 of their squad’s permitted non-homegrown spots, upon the signings of Milos Kerkez and Florian Wirtz.

Premier League squads are only allowed 17 players that don’t count as homegrown or under-21.

Cresswell was part of the England U21 team that won the European Championships this summer (Getty)

The same rule applies for the Champions League, except that under-21s must also be homegrown to not be exempt from the 17.

Non-homegrown players (18): Alisson, Mamardashvili, Van Dijk, Konate, Robertson, Tsimikas, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Wirtz, Szoboszlai, Endo, Salah, Diaz, Ekitike, Nunez, Chiesa, Gakpo

Homegrown players: (11) Mrozek, Davies, Gomez, Frimpong, Bradley, Phillips, Beck, Stephenson, Williams, Jones, Elliott, Morton

Notable U21s: Pecsi, Nyoni, McConnell, Danns, Koumas, Doak, Bajcetic, Chambers, Gordon, Ngumoha