Maturing is getting excited about the gifts you need rather than those you want.

At Christmas or on birthdays, children often dismiss gifts like socks or new school supplies. What they really want is the latest PlayStation game or the newest gadget sparking a playground trend.

For adults, however, the ideal gifts from Santa are more about practicality than novelty. An air fryer? Perfect, give the oven a break. New slippers? Definitely, and why not add some socks to the mix? Stocking up on toiletries? That’s one less errand at the big supermarket, much appreciated.

He is the Michelin Star filet mignon prime cut with the most expensive bottle of red. The five-star trip to the Maldives.

But is he what Liverpool need?

Liverpool are big admirers of Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, who has expressed a desire to explore opportunities away from the club

However, the Reds’ 4-2 pre-season defeat by AC Milan may have shown the need to strengthen in other areas

Arne Slot’s side have invested heavily this summer and look set to continue spending before the new season

Indeed, one could argue, and with good reason, that signing the Swedish player would significantly boost the Reds’ chances of maintaining their Premier League title and might even enhance their European campaign.

Yet signing a No 9 for an eye-watering fee maybe should not be top priority. That is especially noting the £69million plus add-ons just paid to Eintracht Frankfurt for Hugo Ekitike – and the £116m for Florian Wirtz, who led the line against AC Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday.

Signing a central defender seems more important. The reason is obvious. Liverpool only have three senior players who are natural in the role: Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez – last term’s fourth-choice Jarell Quansah recently departed for £35million to Bayer Leverkusen.

Gomez has played just 11 minutes this calendar year. He got injured at West Ham just after Christmas. Then, on his return at Plymouth in February, limped off in pain and was not seen again all season.

He has now flown home from Asia due to an Achilles injury and, though it is minor, it puts into perspective Liverpool’s lack of depth in the area. Midfielder Ryan Gravenberch and left back Kostas Tsimikas filled in at centre back in the 4-2 loss to Milan.

Neither look like long-term options. Wataru Endo can also play there and, like Gravenberch, is adept in the role. But the problem is this: Gravenberch was the best No 6 in the Premier League last season, so no matter how good he is when in defence, you lose the midfield glue.

Gomez is one of the nicest gentlemen in the squad, a leader in the dressing room and the Reds’ longest-serving player who is respected by all in the building. But it is fair to say his fitness cannot be trusted – even though he is definitely worth keeping for his versatility.

The other pair have issues, too. Konate is solid but last season was the first he had an injury record that one could describe as pleasing – what if that does not continue?

The Premier League champions have already spent big money on the signing of French striker Hugo Ekitike

Defender Joe Gomez has been sent home from the tour after sustaining a minor Achilles injury 

A bigger worry is the fact he is yet to sign a new contract with his current deal set to expire next summer and Real Madrid circling.

Van Dijk is the best central defender on the planet but he is 34 and will not be around for ever. What happens if the captain suffers a season-ending injury the day after the transfer window shuts? 

Amara Nallo and Wellity Lucky are the academy defenders probably in line to step up if a crisis did occur, but neither are on the pre-season tour which perhaps hints that Arne Slot does not believe they are ready for first-team football just yet.

So all this leads us to the statement: Liverpool need to sign a defender.

Richard Hughes, the sporting director, knows this – and they are actively targeting centre backs to boost their squad. But nothing is advanced at this stage, although it might ramp up in the coming week given Gomez’s minor injury has thrust the matter into the spotlight.

Marc Guehi is one they are keen on although Mail Sport understands the main brief for this position is someone young, adept on the ball and who could learn from Van Dijk and eventually evolve into his long-term replacement.

Last year, they were in the picture for Lenny Yoro but the young Frenchman chose Manchester United and, 12 months later, Liverpool registered interest in Dean Huijsen who switched Bournemouth for Real Madrid. Both are the profile Liverpool want.

Ibrahima Konate is yet to extend terms on a contract that expires at the end of next season

Liverpool’s interest in Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi has gone quiet but a deal remains a possibility

The Guehi deal has gone quiet but it is still a possibility. Crystal Palace want a sky-high fee for their 24-year-old captain and Liverpool are not willing to pay. But if the FA Cup winners budge, Hughes might sense an opportunity and pull the trigger for the England international. 

That is how Liverpool operate: opportunistically. Isak is a golden opportunity and one that cannot be sniffed at if a deal is doable. If he is indeed on the market – and that depends on whether Newcastle stand firm or not – then Isak is the best No 9 that could be bought. It would make Liverpool the team to beat in Europe.

But if it is an either-or situation – it may not be – Isak or another No 9 on top of Ekitike is perhaps not the smartest bit of business. They can have all the shiny strikers they like but you cannot win a league without a solid defensive foundation.

They have that at the moment but, with a very thin list of players in reserve, that could crumble and, regardless of how many goals they can score at one end, they might have problems at the other. Anyway, back to the Christmas list, where was I? Socks, air fryer…