As the January window edges closer, Liverpools recruitment team faces a familiar balancing act between long-term planning and short-term necessity. With Giovanni Leoni sidelined for the season after suffering an ACL injury on his debut, questions have resurfaced about whether Arne Slot will need another centre-back to maintain depth in a side defending its Premier League crown.
Dr Phil Barter spoke to Dave Davis on Anfield Indexs Transfer Market Metrics podcast and shed light on one potential option, Club Brugges Joel Ordonez, who Liverpool have already scouted on numerous occasions. The Ecuadorian defender has been on Liverpools radar before, and his profile appears to fit several criteria that the club values in a modern centre-half.
Barter outlined the qualities that make Ordonez an intriguing candidate for Liverpools back line.
If you watch him, hes more of a right-sided defender, which is an area that Liverpools opponents are really targeting at the moment, he explained. Hes front-footed and pro-active in his defending, so youre one worry would be whether he can be turned by quicker players.
Liverpools right side has been tested repeatedly this season, especially when Ibrahima Konate has been pressed in possession. Barter pointed out the tactical issue that emerged in high-intensity games. As we saw against Man City, opponents are forcing Liverpool to play through Ibou Konate, which has never been his game.
That observation reflects a growing pattern. Slots side thrives on quick ball progression from defence into midfield, often relying on Virgil van Dijks range of passing to switch play and stretch opposition lines. Konate, while dominant physically, offers a more limited passing range.
According to Barter, Ordonezs passing numbers and tendencies could make him a natural fit for Slots tactical setup. He can pass the ball quite well, both in terms of volume and completion and he can play progressively, which is key for this Liverpool side, Barter said. Dont expecting passing like Virgil van Dijk, he isnt that type of passer but he is accurate.
Slot has shown a willingness to rotate his back line, especially during congested periods, and the Ecuadorians comfort on the ball would suit Liverpools fluid build-up play. However, the transition to the Premier League from the Belgian Pro League would not be without its challenges. Physicality, pace and defensive recovery all play a larger role in England, and Barter hinted that adaptability could be the key question.
There are signs there, but its just the question over that on-ball stuff and whether he would be an improvement on Konate, he added.
Dave Davis, who hosted the discussion, added vital context to Liverpools previous interest in Ordonez. The club were looking for that young centre-back with a high ceiling in the summer and they finally got Giovanni Leoni, he said. Out info is that Ordonez was in that mix in the summer before they signed Leoni, so youd expect that Leoni was above him in the pecking order.
That hierarchy matters. Liverpool rarely operate with five senior centre-backs, and as Davis noted, Liverpool dont traditionally carry five centre-backs and definitely not two young centre-backs. So would they run with both Ordonez and Leoni?
Given that Ordonez is under contract until 2029, any mid-season move would come at a significant premium. Hes under contract until 2029 and if Liverpool wanted a move in January, then youd be looking at around £35m, Davis revealed.
At 21, Ordonez represents both promise and risk. His signing would suggest a willingness to double down on youth in central defence, potentially creating a long-term pairing with Leoni once the young Italian returns. However, Liverpool may prefer to opt for short-term stability, allowing Joe Gomez and Konate to share duties alongside Van Dijk until the summer.
Slots Liverpool are evolving tactically, and their recruitment reflects that. Whether the club moves for Ordonez or waits for Leonis recovery, the approach will remain rooted in data, development and value. The discussion between Dr Phil Barter and Dave Davis highlights that Liverpools scouting is not reactive but layered with forward planning.
Should Ordonez arrive, he would embody the next phase of Liverpools defensive rebuild, one shaped by calculated progression rather than panic.