Liverpool are aggressively seeking new centre-back options for the 2025/26 season as they face growing depth concerns, spearheaded by injury issues and failed transfer moves. The club’s serious interest in Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck is intensifying, while their pursuit of Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi has stalled amid soaring competition and contract complexities. This blog analyzes Liverpool’s strategic need, evaluates player profiles, and forecasts broader market implications for their defensive rebuild, with deep insights into Schlotterbeck’s suitability and Guehi’s uncertain transfer status. Liverpool’s Centre-Back Crisis Liverpool’s centre-back situation has reached a critical juncture ahead of the January 2026 transfer window. Veteran leader Virgil van Dijk, now 34, requires careful management to stay fit, while Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez—their primary rotation options—have long-standing injury histories that make them unreliable for a full campaign. Summer signing ...
However, this season, the men in white have given it their all and are now in the event's semi-finals. At this point, the format shifts.
So far, the Spanish Cup has been played as a single-game knockout competition in each round. The semi-final will be played over two legs, with the winner of the aggregate advancing to the final.
Real Madrid's first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-final takes place tomorrow night in the Basque country against Real Sociedad at the Reale Arena.
The reverse fixture will be played at the Santiago Bernabeu, so the goal tomorrow will be to come away with a positive result and no deficit to chase.
Madrid Universal provides three talking points ahead of Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid.
Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Atletico Madrid rarely reach the Copa del Rey semifinals together. In that regard, this year stands out.
The reverse fixture will be played at the Santiago Bernabeu, so the goal tomorrow will be to come away with a positive result and no deficit to chase.
Madrid Universal provides three talking points ahead of Real Sociedad vs Real Madrid.
Capitalizing on the draw.
With all three Spanish giants still in contention for the title at the final-four stage, it was inevitable that two of them would face off in the semi-finals.
As it turned out in the draw, Real Madrid escaped, while Barcelona and Los Rojiblancos will compete over two legs for a spot in the final. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti's side was drawn against Real Sociedad.
When compared to the two other opponents the men in white could have been drawn up against, La Real is a less intimidating opponent, and it is clear that Real Madrid has the odds in their favor to qualify.
With their UEFA Champions League path looking arduous, it is critical that the men in white take advantage of the relatively easier path to the Spanish Cup final, which begins tomorrow night.
Real Sociedad are not an easy opponent to beat, and they have demonstrated time and again this season that they are not afraid to put their best foot forward regardless of the opposition.
In a season with such a complicated schedule, facing the mighty Basque side has to be viewed as a favorable draw, and the team must carve out a win without incurring too many costs.
The current season has been difficult for Ancelotti on numerous fronts, and it is clear that he has had to work hard to keep his team competitive despite the setbacks.
The most significant of these setbacks was the central defensive crisis they experienced earlier this month, particularly given the fact that they had to face Manchester City with Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Lucas Vazquez injured.
Despite the pressure, Raul Asencio and Aurelien Tchouameni did an excellent job of keeping the team in the game, with the former particularly impressing with his maturity and leadership skills.
With Rudiger and Alaba back fit and ready to play, the manager is faced with a difficult decision as to which two of the three defenders will start tomorrow. The tables have quickly turned from an acute shortage of options to surplus availability.
Rudiger was rested for the team's final game, and the Alaba-Asencio combination performed admirably against Girona.
Given that the German is a must-start, which of Asencio or Alaba will Ancelotti drop from the starting lineup?
As it turned out in the draw, Real Madrid escaped, while Barcelona and Los Rojiblancos will compete over two legs for a spot in the final. Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti's side was drawn against Real Sociedad.
When compared to the two other opponents the men in white could have been drawn up against, La Real is a less intimidating opponent, and it is clear that Real Madrid has the odds in their favor to qualify.
With their UEFA Champions League path looking arduous, it is critical that the men in white take advantage of the relatively easier path to the Spanish Cup final, which begins tomorrow night.
Real Sociedad are not an easy opponent to beat, and they have demonstrated time and again this season that they are not afraid to put their best foot forward regardless of the opposition.
In a season with such a complicated schedule, facing the mighty Basque side has to be viewed as a favorable draw, and the team must carve out a win without incurring too many costs.
An ironic defensive dilemma.
The most significant of these setbacks was the central defensive crisis they experienced earlier this month, particularly given the fact that they had to face Manchester City with Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Lucas Vazquez injured.
Despite the pressure, Raul Asencio and Aurelien Tchouameni did an excellent job of keeping the team in the game, with the former particularly impressing with his maturity and leadership skills.
With Rudiger and Alaba back fit and ready to play, the manager is faced with a difficult decision as to which two of the three defenders will start tomorrow. The tables have quickly turned from an acute shortage of options to surplus availability.
Rudiger was rested for the team's final game, and the Alaba-Asencio combination performed admirably against Girona.
Given that the German is a must-start, which of Asencio or Alaba will Ancelotti drop from the starting lineup?
Should Modric start again?
At his age, Luka Modric does not make many starts for Real Madrid in all competitions. This season, he has only made nine starts in 24 La Liga appearances and has started only five of the team's ten UEFA Champions League games.
The club captain was given a rare start in the team's recent La Liga match against Girona, as Dani Ceballos and Federico Valverde did not start.
His performance against Michel's side, on the other hand, oozed quality from start to finish, leaving the manager with yet another question about midfield selection.
In 86 minutes against the Catalans, the Croatian veteran had an incredible 126 touches and completed 103 of his 112 passes. He hit seven accurate long balls, made six key passes, and created one big chance on the night.
His greatest contribution, by far, was the jaw-dropping golazo he scored to put his team ahead in the first half. In many ways, his goal ensured Real Madrid's victory and dominance on the pitch.
Given his recent world-class performance and the obvious quality of his boots, should Ancelotti stick with Modric as a starter tomorrow night in the Copa del Rey? Should Dani Ceballos return to the lineup at his expense?
Only time will tell how Ancelotti's game plan against Real Sociedad will play out.
The club captain was given a rare start in the team's recent La Liga match against Girona, as Dani Ceballos and Federico Valverde did not start.
His performance against Michel's side, on the other hand, oozed quality from start to finish, leaving the manager with yet another question about midfield selection.
In 86 minutes against the Catalans, the Croatian veteran had an incredible 126 touches and completed 103 of his 112 passes. He hit seven accurate long balls, made six key passes, and created one big chance on the night.
His greatest contribution, by far, was the jaw-dropping golazo he scored to put his team ahead in the first half. In many ways, his goal ensured Real Madrid's victory and dominance on the pitch.
Given his recent world-class performance and the obvious quality of his boots, should Ancelotti stick with Modric as a starter tomorrow night in the Copa del Rey? Should Dani Ceballos return to the lineup at his expense?
Only time will tell how Ancelotti's game plan against Real Sociedad will play out.
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