Report claims Liverpool poised to beat rivals in race to sign highly rated young centre-back.
Liverpool are stepping up their behind-the-scenes efforts to strengthen their long-term defensive foundations in a season where centre-back issues have become a major talking point.
According to Mail Sport’s Lewis Steele, the club is “closing in” on a deal for Celtic’s highly rated 15-year-old defender Dara Jikiemi, with negotiations said to be moving in a positive direction. The report follows earlier claims from online scout account Secret Scout, which first highlighted Liverpool’s interest before Steele confirmed that progress was being made.
Jikiemi is considered a significant long-term prospect rather than an immediate first-team option. His potential move would mirror the path taken by Ben Gannon-Doak, who also joined Liverpool from Celtic before later transferring to Bournemouth.
Liverpool targeting future stability amid uncertainty over Guehi
The club’s need to future-proof the defence has been clear for some time. A January move for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi remains doubtful, with Gregg Evans noting that Liverpool “would still like to sign Guehi, but the chance of that happening in January is slim” due to his contract situation and Palace’s reluctance to sell.
That reality explains why Liverpool continue to prioritise highly promising young defenders, building succession plans rather than depending on expensive mid-season signings. Defensive performances have faced scrutiny this season, particularly after Ibou Konaté’s difficult run of form, including his part in Leeds United’s comeback last weekend. As analyst Josh Williams put it, it becomes “so much harder to win when one of your centre-backs keeps setting fire to the house.”
In this context, securing emerging talents like Jikiemi is a logical long-term strategy.
Planning beyond short-term pressure
Despite the recent pressure on Arne Slot, the manager has remained focused on creating long-term balance across the squad. Liverpool’s structure has already proved crucial in key moments, such as Dominik Szoboszlai’s late penalty in Milan that preserved a vital Champions League win and demonstrated how effective the system can be when the defensive shape is solid.
Bringing in a young defender like Jikiemi aligns with Liverpool’s broader philosophy: identifying elite talent early, developing it at Kirkby, and preparing players who can eventually support the senior side. Manchester City’s recent move to take Kaylum Moss from Liverpool’s academy further emphasises the need to continually strengthen the youth setup.
Liverpool recognise that centre-back is an area requiring both immediate and future investment. While Jikiemi might not make an impact for a few years, securing him now would represent another forward-thinking step toward restoring defensive depth and preventing the problems of this season from resurfacing in the future.
