This week's Blood Red column assesses Liverpool's strength in depth at centre-back and what might come next in defensive department

Such has been the level of churn in Liverpool's centre-back department of late, that it would be no surprise to learn that the club had attached a revolving door to it.

Since the summer of 2025, the Reds have lost two title-winning internationals - England's Jarell Quansah and France's Ibrahima Konate - and added four players under the age of 21 alongside Ronald Araujo on a season-long loan.

Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk have remained in situ but it's been quite the transformation at Anfield defensively since they were crowned champions of England for a 20th time around 18 months ago.

Giovanni Leoni was followed by Jeremy Jacquet at first-team level while Matt Newberry and his global talents department conducted January deals for Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Nudkwe.

Van Dijk, at the age of 35, is considerably senior to players like Leoni (19), Jacquet (21), and the 18-year-old pair Ndiaye and Ndukwe. However, the August addition of 27-year-old Araujo has sought to bridge the age and experience gap between the club captain and those tasked with being the next generation at Anfield.

More upheaval may yet be forthcoming with Gomez and Van Dijk are in the final years of their respective contracts. Additionally, a decision must be made regarding Araujo, who has impressed so far during his loan spell from Barcelona.

Uruguay international Araujo has been pivotal in Liverpool shaking off their soft-touch tag of last season and the powerful and versatile defender is fast becoming a cult hero on the Kop as a result.

Liverpool have an option to make the Araujo arrangement permanent for £47m, while a clause exists to bring back Quansah from Bayer Leverkusen for around £55m, provided it is triggered before a certain point, believed to be in June of 2026.

Despite the prospect of more turnover at the heart of the defence, it was heartening and reassuring in equal measure to hear Van Dijk sound so open about his willingness to extend his terms when speaking after Sunday's 3-1 win over Crystal Palace.

"I feel good but it’s not about me at the moment," Van Dijk said. "Let’s see. I’m not in any panic whatsoever. I want to keep playing and continue what I’m doing. Let’s see what the season brings. I’ve had an amazing time already so far. If that will be extended, that’s the case."

The Reds skipper turns 36 before next season begins but there have been no signs that a sudden and sharp decline is near. He has featured for every Premier League minute so far for a team that currently sits fourth in the table.

Gomez's exit is more likely at this stage and while the dependable and versatile defender would leave with a heavy heart after what would be 12 years at the club next summer, few would begrudge him the opportunity to play more regularly elsewhere. Incredibly, the former Charlton Athletic teenager only turned 29 in May.

Depsite being so well stocked, it is perhaps inevitable, given the January transfer window is just a few weeks away, that Liverpool have been linked with more centre-backs.

Brighton's Luka Vuskovic is the latest, with reports in Germany this week suggesting a valuation has been placed on the teenager of around £100m as the Reds circle.

Recent history has suggested Liverpool have no problem going that high for player they view as potentially game-changing but it's understood there are no plans to act on any degree of admiration for Vuskovic.

Liverpool felt they had secured two of the brightest young centre-halves on the continent with their moves for Leoni and Jacquet and that much was reflected in the fact they cost a combined fee of close to £90m.

Jacquet has started superbly alongside Van Dijk and Leoni, who has been sidelined for 14 months with a serious and complicated knee injury, will be afforded every opportunity to make his time on Merseyside a success, having suffered the setback on his Reds debut.

Ndukwe caught the eye during his stint on the club's pre-season tour and a loan spell at Levante has now seen him collect the required points for a UK work permit to be granted. Liverpool will likely keep the giant Austrian in Spain barring an injury crisis to continue his development.

Ndiaye, meanwhile, is continuing his own adaptation at Under-21 level and there is a belief inside Anfield that they are well stocked with a balanced variety of centre-backs for the present and the long term.

There is no urgent need to break the bank once more for new blood at centre-back but some sizable decisions still await the Anfield hierarchy where Van Dijk, Gomez and Araujo are concerned.

As a result, any January recruitment plans Andoni Iraola and new sporting director Julian Ward have will almost certainly not involve centre-halves. They can turn off that revolving door at the AXA Training Centre. For now.