EXCL: What is going on with the Roméo Lavia deal? Mac Allister is a manager's dream and expect breakout pre-season star to stay at Anfield

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Liverpool need a long-term centre-back but their issues can be fixed on the training ground

Defensive issues have been present throughout pre-season for Liverpool and Mathias Honsak’s goal for Darmstadt on Monday was a prime example of the problems facing the Reds. I think it’s clear that Liverpool need to be buying at least one centre-back during the next 12 months, and in an ideal world, one would be signed in this window. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate are clearly the starting pair, and as good as any in the league when at their best, but beyond that, Joel Matip is 31 and looks a player whose best days are behind him, while Joe Gomez has not played regularly as a centre-back in almost three years, and will surely be needed to cover at right-back this season.