Liverpool are ready to splash the cash in January in order to add a new centre-back to the ranks, reports FourFourTwo.

The Reds invested heavily over the summer as they brought in Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike.

The defending champions also made changes at the back as they signed Jeremie Frimpong, Milos Kerkez and Giovanni Leoni.

Liverpool, though, were left disappointed by their failure to sign Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace on deadline day, despite agreeing a deal with the Eagles for the England international.

Palace were unable to sign a replacement for Guehi, so pulled the plug on the transfer at the 11th hour.

And the Merseyside giants have concerns at the back after Leoni suffered a season-ending ACL injury in their EFL Cup win over Southampton last month.

Konate tipped to leave next summer

With concerns over Ibrahima Konate’s future at Anfield, Liverpool are exploring the possibility of dipping back into the market in the New Year.

Konate’s current deal expires next summer and talks have stalled over a new contract.

Guehi is another whose contract runs next year with the Reds expected to move for the Palace captain when the transfer window re-opens in January.

However, Liverpool won’t be the only side in for Guehi, who is attracting interest from Real Madrid and Bayern Munich.

Guehi is free to negotiate a pre-contract with overseas sides at the turn of the year, meaning Liverpool may turn their attention elsewhere.

Liverpool exploring centre-back options

Dayot Upamecano is another Liverpool are reportedly monitoring with the Frenchman, like Konate and Guehi, out of contract next summer.

Joel Ordonez has also emerged as a possible target for Liverpool as the Reds look to rescue their dismal start to the season.

Ordonez was close to a move to Marseille over the summer but the deal collapsed and the 21-year-old instead put pen to paper on a new deal with Belgian side Club Brugge.

The Ecuadorian has started just five league games for Brugge as he sought to force a move away from the club earlier this year having returned to the starting XI last month.

Reds struggling in second season under Slot

Liverpool will hope to get back to winning ways when they take on Palace in the EFL Cup on Wednesday night.

The Reds have won only one of their last six competitive matches, a 5-1 win Champions League win over Eintracht Frankfurt last week.

A 3-2 defeat at Brentford on Saturday means Liverpool have lost five of their last six matches and they’re now seven points off league leaders Arsenal with their title defence in tatters.

Arne Slot’s side follow up the midweek welcome of Palace with home games against Aston Villa and Real Madrid before they travel to Manchester City ahead of the November international break.