Flashscore sources: Dumfries an option as Liverpool rethink transfer plans after exits

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/liverpool/lId4TMwf/"]Liverpool[/a] would ideally have retained the French defender and did indeed make efforts to convince him to stay, but his departure leaves a significant void in both quality and depth at the heart of the defence.[/p][p]The focus has shifted from trying to keep an elite centre-back to understanding how Liverpool intend to address that loss and restore balance to the squad.[/p][p]With a new era looming under [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/iraola-andoni/xpALVpwq/"]Andoni Iraola[/a], who is the favourite to take charge following Arne Slot's departure, the decisions made over the coming weeks could define the club's trajectory for years to come.[/p][p][b]Word from within the Liverpool camp is that the club have reasons to feel optimistic about their defensive future. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/leoni-giovanni/GdON0JjJ/"]Giovanni Leoni[/a], 19, and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/jacquet-jeremy/h0WK6DL4/"]Jeremy Jacquet[/a], 20, are regarded as two of the most exciting young defenders in Europe.[/b][/p][p]Leoni arrived with enormous potential from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/parma/6DxlaxHN/"]Parma[/a] but effectively lost his first season through injury, while Jacquet is joining from [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/rennes/d2nnj1IE/"]Rennes[/a] with a reputation that attracted interest from several leading European clubs.[/p][p]Their talent is unquestionable, but the challenge is whether the timing leaves Liverpool in a vulnerable position.[/p][p]Leoni has barely played since arriving and will need time to regain rhythm and confidence. Jacquet faces the difficult task of adapting to a new country, a new league and the demands that come with representing one of the biggest clubs in world football.[/p][p]There is no doubt Liverpool are considering another defensive signing and a number of names are already circulating.[/p][p]We understand that one key target remains [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/club-brugge/rgTHIK74/"]Club Brugge[/a]'s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ordonez-joel/SUpVHdbj/"]Joel Ordonez[/a], who has emerged as a player of interest as Liverpool assess defensive reinforcements.[/p][p]The Ecuador international has impressed with his composure on the ball, physical presence and maturity, making him one of Europe's most highly rated centre-backs.[/p][embed guid="b42c3b0f-a943-4f2a-ae19-ca47cbd02624" url="https://x.com/FabrizioRomano/status/2060692188715966924" social-type="twitter" /][p]Concerns about defensive depth become even more relevant when considering 34-year-old [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/van-dijk-virgil/U59RNqOr/"]Virgil van Dijk[/a]'s role.[/p][p]The Dutchman remains an elite centre-back and showed plenty of his quality last season, but he is another year older and was heavily relied upon throughout the campaign.[/p][p]Liverpool's ideal scenario would be to manage his workload carefully rather than increase it further by placing additional responsibility on his shoulders. [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gomez-joe/SKt9dxk8/"]Joe Gomez[/a] offers experienced cover but continues to battle injury concerns.[/p][p][b]The deeper complication is that central defence does not seem to be Liverpool's biggest priority. Sources suggest that the departures and uncertainties in attack mean substantial investment will be required further forward.[/b][/p][p]Replacing [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/salah-mohamed/08FBycgB/"]Mohamed Salah[/a]'s output is no small task, while concerns surrounding [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/ekitike-hugo/ltVXPlJU/"]Hugo Ekitike[/a]'s injury situation have only increased the pressure to strengthen the frontline.[/p][p][b]Sources indicate Liverpool retain a strong interest in [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/rb-leipzig/KbS1suSm/"]RB Leipzig[/a]'s [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/diomande-yan/0p2ORrJi/"]Yan Diomande[/a] and that serious discussions are ongoing over a potential transfer falling into place soon. If that deal can not be concluded then Liverpool will immediately seek to sign another dynamic attacker from their shortlist.[/b][/p][p][b]We understand Liverpool are also looking at full-backs, with [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/dumfries-denzel/QR0j1ejk/"]Denzel Dumfries[/a] among options being considered.[/b][/p][p]Ultimately, Liverpool's summer is becoming an exercise in balance. The club must decide how important it is to directly replace [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/konate-ibrahima/QJlbDbQe/"]Konate[/a] and how doing so would impact the rest of their transfer plans.[/p][image alt="Dean Jones" id="0f685dd0-10a2-43d8-9966-361f00f7203c" credit-line="Flashscore" guid="3f6d8d53-94f4-46f8-8f99-7bfa450abf05" original-width="1200" original-height="380" /]