Liverpool remains linked with Marc Guehi, but the Reds have reportedly identified Zeno Debast of Sporting CP as a compelling alternative should the Guehi deal fall through. The switch in focus reflects Liverpool’s urgency to reinforce their defensive depth and avoid overreliance on one target.
Who Is Zeno Debast — And Why He Appeals
Zeno Debast, a Belgian centre-back (also capable as a defensive midfielder), currently plies his trade at Sporting CP.
He arrived from Anderlecht in 2024 on a long-term deal with a 15% sell-on clause for his former club. Since then, he has impressed with composure in build-up play, clean tackling, positional awareness, and ball progression from the back. At just 21, he’s already established himself in Sporting’s defence and earned caps for Belgium.
Liverpool sees in Debast a technically gifted, youthful defender who fits their modern defensive profile — someone who can step into the centre-back ranks now and potentially become a long-term pillar.
Liverpool’s Defensive Need and Debast’s Club Situation
Liverpool faces a congested defense roster and uncertainty over Konaté’s future. With Virgil van Dijk aging and Joe Gomez’s injury history, adding depth and youth is vital.
Sporting, meanwhile, values Debast highly. He holds a contract through 2028, and resigning him would be expensive. But if Liverpool pushes with an attractive offer, Sporting might do business — especially since they paid a premium themselves.
Why Liverpool Would Prefer Debast
Guehi attracts interest across Europe, making his acquisition competitive and uncertain. That volatility has encouraged Liverpool’s recruitment team to cast a wider net — and Debast now features prominently on their radar. Debast offers a safer fallback.
He already has experience in a competitive league, is younger, and comes with fewer transfer complications. His style also blends better with Liverpool’s emphasis on ball play and defensive transitions — a key factor in Klopp-era and post-Klopp football.
Liverpool’s January window might not be about marquee arrivals — it could be about smart, well-fitted additions. Zeno Debast looks like exactly that kind of target.
As featured on Walkon.com
