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Jamie Carragher has called onArne Slotto tackle Liverpool's defensive concerns as the January transfer window draws to a close. The Reds have reached a verbal agreement on a £55million deal for Rennes' Jeremy Jacquet ahead of Monday's 7pm deadline.

Nevertheless, it's believed the centre-back won't arrive at Anfield until the summer in a concerning development for Liverpool supporters. Slot's squad appears increasingly thin at the back, with Joe Gomez acting as the club's sole genuine cover for Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

Whilst the Reds brought in Giovanni Leoni from Parma during the summer, the 19-year-old is sidelined for the remainder of the campaign following an ACL injury picked up on his debut in September.

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Meanwhile, Liverpool's deadline day pursuit of Marc Guehi the same month fell through at the final moment, with the former Crystal Palace captain moving to Manchester City this month as the club were linked with reviving their interest.

And whilst Carragher has praised a potential Jacquet acquisition, he has pressed Slot to search the market for immediate defensive reinforcement.

Speaking on Sky Sports, the club legend said: "Pleased that they've made a signing in that area. Liverpool need reinforcements in that area right now, but they definitely need it in the summer.

"It looks as though Konate is going to move on - he's still not signed a contract yet. I think they're getting young centre-backs for the future. Unfortunately, Leoni - who they signed last summer - has got an ACL injury so we won't see him, as well.

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"I would still like to see Liverpool sign another defender today, because I think they will need one before the end of the season."

When questioned whether the postponed transfer is irritating considering Liverpool's present injury woes, Carragher continued: "Yes. But when the deal has been done with Rennes, that may have been part of the deal over the line.

"It's not going to disrupt their season in France, now, so I can understand it as it's their player - so they have to play by their rules. Liverpool have paid top money.

"The future bodes well at centre-back, but they have pressing problems right now they need to fix."

This emerges as Liverpool appear to have beaten Chelsea in the race for Jacquet, given the Blues had been tracking the 20 year old throughout most of the window.

"Consequently, Liam Rosenior has brought back Mamadou Sarr from his stint with Strasbourg, and are expected to keep hold of Josh Acheampong."

Meanwhile, French journalist Julien Laurens reckons that Liverpool have secured 'the real deal,' through their arrangement for Jacquet. He said: "I know he's only 20, he hasn't played for France and he hasn't played in the Champions League or Europa League.

"He has a long way to go but he's been impressive last season, after they [Rennes] called him back from his loan in the second division, and this season, with Habib Beye. You can't get it wrong. He is going to be amazing.

"He reminds me of when William Saliba burst onto the scene in France with Saint-Etienne, or Wesley Fofana. It's about how much you value that potential and talent. You would pay a lot of money for someone who hasn't really proved much. It's a lot of money for such a young player."

Should Liverpool take Carragher's counsel and bring in another centre-back during the January window, they have until 7pm on Monday to complete any deal.