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By TUM BALOGUN, SPORTS REPORTER Published: 02: 00 AEST, 28 August 2025 | Updated: 02: 00 AEST, 28 August 2025 11 View comments Mark Lawrenson has warned Liverpool they must tighten up at the back in the final days of the transfer window, insisting defensive reinforcements should be the club's priority. The Premier League champions may boast two wins from two but they have looked anything but convincing. Rio Ngumoha's last-minute strike sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory at Newcastle, following another unconvincing display on the opening weekend. Arne Slot's side have conceded twice in both games, with Ibrahima Konate coming under fire for a string of mistakes. Slot has already invested almost £300million this summer and the club remain keen on a record-breaking move for Newcastle striker Alexander Isak. But Lawrenson, who anchored Liverpool's defence during their 1980s glory years, believes the focus on firepower is misplaced. 'Yeah I was concerned [about the defence], but I think everybody is at the moment, ' he said on talk SPORT. '[Virgil] van Dijk needs another partner, doesn't he? 'Because the French boy [Konate] is all over the place, he's making all sorts of mistakes. Mark Lawrenson has warned Liverpool they must tighten up at the back in the final days of the transfer window Ibrahima Konate has come in for criticism for his performances in Liverpool's opening matches Who do you think will win? Liverpool V Arsenal *18+, excludes NI. Terms and conditions apply 'But don't forget they've got different players playing at the back right now so it's not particularly good but it will get better – it's the way Liverpool are. And there is still a chance that if they need to sign somebody then the transfer market is still open. ' Konate, signed from RB Leipzig for £36m in 2021, has found himself under particular scrutiny. Jamie Carragher said on Monday Night Football that both he and Mohamed Salah had made 'really poor starts' to the season, describing the defender as 'all over the place'. Konate was culpable for Newcastle's equaliser at St James' Park, when William Osula raced through after he was beaten in the air by Magpies defender Dan Burn. 'I want my centre-back to go and win that, ' Carragher said. 'He was more interested in grabbing his arm. He was not at the races at all. I absolutely shudder to think where Liverpool would be without Virgil van Dijk, who has been absolutely outstanding. ' The Frenchman also looked vulnerable against Bournemouth on the opening weekend, playing stray passes and failing to deal with Antoine Semenyo in the build-up to the visitors' second goal. His stuttering form has only intensified talk of further competition at centre-back, with £26m summer signing Giovanni Leoni waiting in the wings and Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi a target. Palace's stance has complicated Liverpool's pursuit of Guehi. The 25-year-old has entered the final year of his contract and is valued at around £45m, though the Reds consider that excessive given he could leave for nothing next summer. Talks between the two clubs are ongoing, with Guehi viewed as a potential long-term successor to Van Dijk, now 34. Jamie Carragher said on Monday Night Football that both he and Mohamed Salah had made 'really poor starts' to the season Liverpool are in talks with Crystal Palace to sign England international Marc Geuhi but the Eagles have not yet budged on their £45m valuation Asked about the potential of signing Guehi, Lawrenson said: 'We all thought about a week ago that was happening, but I think Palace are staying that he has to stay. 'But money changes things and the transfer window doesn't close until next Monday and I'm sure there are going to be loads of deals done before that. '
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