Liverpool could be forced to consider bringing in a new defender should Joe Gomez leave this summer.
The England international saw a potential £45million move to Newcastle United fall through last month as part of negotiations around the deal for Anthony Gordon and is open minded about seeking a new challenge in his quest for regular first-team football.
Despite the departure of Joel Matip, the emergence of another Newcastle target Jarell Quansah, and the development on loan at Mainz of Sepp van den Berg, means coach Arne Slot does have options, but Gomez's versatility and consistency has been crucial for Liverpool over recent seasons.
Liverpool were active in their pursuit of Leny Yoro but that was more because he was viewed as a generational talent and a 'one-off deal' on the market rather than serve a need to recruit a centre back per se. They had expected him to join Real Madrid but stepped back as Manchester United's involvement inflated the price beyond £45million for the 18-year-old prospect.
They have also received a number of offers and enquiries from the likes of PSV Eindhoven, Wolfsburg, Hoffenheim and Mainz for Van den Berg but, as yet, no one is close to their £20m valuation and the Dutchman is keen to stake a first-team claim under compatriot Slot.
Liverpool's Joe Gomez is open to a new challenge after seeing a move to Newcastle collapse
Gomez had been part of Newcastle and Liverpool's negotiations for Anthony Gordon (right)
Liverpool boss Arne Slot could be forced into the market for a defender should Gomez depart
Liverpool's recruitment focus has predominantly been on other areas, however, losing Gomez could prompt some defensive options, currently on the back burner, being brought to the fore.
Newcastle's pursuit of Gomez unfolded after they initially approached Liverpool in early June about whether the Anfield club had interest in buying either Anthony Gordon or Alexander Isak for PSR purposes.
The initial £100m price tags were dismissed by Liverpool then, as Mail Sport exclusively revealed, Newcastle asked about Quansah. That request was rebuffed but Newcastle subsequently proposed a price of around £80million for Gordon.
Again, that was turned down but as Amanda Staveley and Newcastle's ownership pushed for PSR solutions, Mail Sport sources revealed chief executive Darren Eales returned with a proposal to buy Gomez instead for £45m and sell Gordon to Liverpool for £75m.
Talks were promising and a medical was planned in Leipzig for the players who were involved with England at the European Championships in Germany.
England teammates noted how Gordon's head was turned by the prospect of a move back to Merseyside while Gomez was happy at the chance of regular first team football in his favoured position of right sided centre back, where he had played during Liverpool's title-winning season.
However, at the eleventh hour, with the PSR deadline of June 30 looming, Newcastle found another solution by selling Yankuba Minteh to Brighton and Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest and the Gordon-Gomez deal was called off.
Liverpool had been active in pursuing Leny Yoro because he was viewed as a generational talent but backed off after Man United's involvement pushed the price beyond £45m
Gomez has interest from Saudi Arabian clubs and could become an option for European sides
Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi is a player Liverpool have looked at
Gomez has also had interest from Saudi Arabia while at 27 remains an accomplished and very experienced option for Champions League sides still assembling squads.
With five weeks left in the window, there have been questions building around Liverpool's lack of transfer activity, but Slot has been assured in his recognition of the work being done behind the scenes to bring in the right quality where needed.
That also means Liverpool being prepared for any late surprises should suitable offers for the likes of Gomez arise.
Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi is a player Liverpool have looked at for instance but, as yet, no move is planned.