Richards Hughes has six Liverpool problems to solve before the transfer deadline

Liverpool are closing in on making Giorgi Mamardashvili their first summer signing to futureproof the goalkeeper position. However, they still have several problems to address in the squad this week before the transfer window closes.

The attempts to sign Anthony Gordon and Martin Zubimendi have highlighted that the Reds acknowledge strengthening the squad is possible in certain areas. Meanwhile, multiple more players on the fringes of the first team could also leave the club permanently or temporarily over the coming days.

The ECHO has highlighted some pressing problems that Liverpool's sporting director Richard Hughes should solve in the transfer market before 11pm on Friday.

Defensive dilemmas

It has been over three years since the Reds signed a central defender, and the lack of depth in that position is now apparent. Following the departures of Joel Matip and Sepp van den Berg this summer, Liverpool have just five senior centre-backs in the squad, an amount that could seemingly shrink to three before September comes.

Joe Gomez is back in the matchday squad now, but a move may materialise, while it seemed all summer that Nat Phillips would move on after deputising during pre-season. The team have managed before with four, but Gomez going would present an untimely problem.

Midfield moves

Conversely, in the middle of the pitch, there are potentially too many players for Arne Slot to provide with enough playing time. Harvey Elliott is hardly playing, and neither has Curtis Jones, albeit he missed the Brentford match with an injury issue. Wataru Endo has also fallen out of favour but seemingly remains ahead of Stefan Bajcetic in defensive midfield.

A move for the latter appears most pressing after not even playing for the under-21s to start this season. Without the Europa League, opportunities will be at a premium again, and Bajcetic needs to play after last season's injury issues.