Liverpool’s summer spending extravaganza may have secured a variety of talent, but it’s left a glaring vulnerability at the back one that a single injury threatens to exploit disastrously.
Amidst the flurry of transfer dealings, the £26 million signing of young Giovanni Leoni from Parma raised few eyebrows, yet it might now be seen as one of the more crucial transactions. The towering Italian centre-back was hailed as a “great coup” by Italian legend Arrigo Sacchi, and during Liverpool’s recent League Cup clash against Southampton, he showcased why. For 81 minutes, the 18-year-old stamped his authority on the game with immaculate pass accuracy and vital defensive contributions, looking every bit the future of Liverpool’s central defence.
Tragically, however, fortune betrayed the Reds as Leoni sustained what appeared to be a severe knee injury, later confirmed as an ACL tear. With Trent Alexander-Arnold’s departure to Madrid and Jarrel Quansah’s move to Bayer Leverkusen, the Anfield side finds itself alarmingly short of top-tier defensive options.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate form a formidable first-choice pairing, but beyond them, the cupboard looks bare a situation made all the more glaring given Liverpool’s grand £420 million summer expenditure. Joe Gomez appears next in line, yet his performance against Southampton hardly inspired confidence, painting a picture of a squad pinched for quality in reserve.
Rhys Williams, another option, holds a scant nine Premier League appearances, the last of which came in Liverpool’s injury-laden 2020/21 season. This shortage highlights perhaps the most significant missed opportunity of the summer the failed pursuit of Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi. Hopes of acquiring Guehi at a cut-price backfired, leaving Liverpool without the desirable depth they sought.
Looking elsewhere, the top-flight rivals are no strangers to defensive depth. Arsenal boast the likes of Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapie behind their regulars, while Manchester City and Chelsea have multiple players capable of stepping into the heart of defence without missing a beat.
Concerns mount further considering Van Dijk’s age and injury history. Now 34, the Dutchman may see injuries become an ever-present concern, adding yet another layer of worry for Liverpool. At the same time, Konate’s contract situation looms over Anfield with whispers linking him to a Bosman departure to Madrid.
The defensive strain extends beyond centre-backs with Alexander-Arnold’s exit also dealing a creative blow. His bond with Mohamed Salah was instrumental for the Reds, and new recruit Jeremie Frimpong has yet to forge a similar understanding. On the left flank, Milos Kerkez’s early substitutions reflect unease from manager Arne Slot.
With five goals conceded in as many league appearances, Liverpool sits in joint ninth for defensive records an alarming sign for the club that took until November to concede as many last season.
As Liverpool braces for the months without Leoni, the pressure will only intensify on Konate and Van Dijk to stay fit. With the season’s defensive depth highlighted as the Achilles’ heel, potentially derailing their campaign, Liverpool may rue not shoring up their rearguard further this past summer.
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