Centre-Back Targets: A Data-Driven Look at M. Guéhi, D. Huijsen and N. Schlotterbeck

Focusing on their strengths, weaknesses and how they would fit into the Reds’ tactical system

Written on 03/04/2025, data collected during the March international break 2025

A lot has been written about how Liverpool will shape up at the start of next season despite being very close to achieving something remarkable this season in the shape of a Premier League title. The futures of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold are still in the air as we speak (with more clarity on the latter), and there are other positions where the squad can strengthen if they are to challenge on ‘multiple fronts’.

While the talks of signing a new left-back and right-back are justifiable considering Andrew Robertson is 31 and will not go on forever and Alexander-Arnold seems set to leave for Real Madrid, barring a last-minute mind change, Liverpool will have to take care of the centre-back situation this summer.

As much as there is positive hope regarding van Dijk’s future being at Anfield, he will turn 34 in the summer and cannot just keep playing every important game for the Reds. Joe Gomez, a versatile option at the back, cannot catch a break from long-term injuries. Just to put the latter into context, the England international has been out since December and may not play again this season. He made a brief comeback in February, only to get injured again.

It has been a close-to-miracle season from Ibrahima Konaté concerning injuries (or maybe credit should be given to him and the new backroom staff to keep him healthy). And then comes Jarell Quansah, a player still learning his trade and should be eased into the team.

So, while bolstering the fullback department is necessary by all accounts, not signing a centre-back could feel like an opportunity missed this summer.

I have conducted an in-depth analysis of three central defenders linked with Liverpool, examining their performances, statistical profiles, and potential contributions if they were to join Anfield.

Those three players are Marc Guéhi (Crystal Palace), Dean Huijsen (Bournemouth) and Nico Schlotterbeck (Borussia Dortmund). There are potential reasons why Liverpool can sign one of them. Guéhi could be an ideal English replacement if Gomez leaves the club (the latter was close to doing that last summer, too). Huijsen and Schlotterbeck are left-sided centre-back options that can bolster the van Dijk backup department.

First, let’s introduce the three players, their contract situations at the club, and what Liverpool would need financially to buy them.

Dean Huijsen started his career as a young player in the Malaga youth team before joining the Juventus U17 in 2021. He made his senior debut for the Old Lady in the 2023/24 season before joining AS Roma on loan for the second half of that season. Eventually, Bournemouth signed him from Juventus last summer. It is “reported” that the Spanish international has a release clause of £50 million in his contract. Any club interested in buying should pay that this summer.

One of Huijsen’s best attributes is the comfort to pass the ball with high accuracy with either foot. It makes him an ideal candidate to play on both sides of the central defence depending on the requirement.

Nico Schlotterbeck spent his youth playing days at VfR Aalen and Karlsruhe before joining the Freiburg U19 in 2017. He made his senior debut for the latter in 2019 before spending the 2020/21 campaign on loan at Union Berlin. Dortmund signed the German international from Freiburg in 2022, and he has been one of their key defenders since.

Schlotterbeck’s current contract at Signal Iduna Park ends in 2027. It remains to be seen how much he would cost Liverpool if a move is to be made this summer. He can play as a centre-back in a back four or a back three and has played as a left-back before.

Marc Guéhi is a solid young English defender who learnt his trade in the Chelsea Academy before making his senior debut in the 2019/20 season. The 24-year-old spent 18 months on loan at Swansea City between January 2020 and May 2021 before Crystal Palace signed him that summer.

Guéhi is close to making 150 appearances for the Eagles and is now their captain as well. His contract at Selhurst Park ends in 2026. Although there is no confirmed report on it, the England international may cost Liverpool £65 million if a move is to be made this summer.

Up next, we look at the numbers of these players and how they have performed in basic underlying metrics so far this season.

We start with the Premier League defenders, where we will find Huijsen and Guéhi.

Huijsen has bettered Guéhi in each of the possession-based metrics. While there isn’t much between them in pass accuracy and progressive passes, the former is well ahead in long passing, passes to the final third, carries and the progressive distance covered with the carries. Bournemouth’s progressive style under Andoni Iraola could be a factor, but the player has to be comfortable doing that, and Huijsen is that player.

Since Marc Guéhi has primarily played as a wide centre-back in a back three under Oliver Glasner and Dean Huijsen operates in a system where left-back Milos Kerkez is given the license to push forward frequently, both defenders often find themselves directly facing opposition forwards during transitional phases.