In the latest from Anfield, it appears that one of Liverpool’s stalwarts, Joe Gomez, is nearing the exit door, as he finds himself increasingly peripheral to Arne Slot’s plans. The Reds are grappling with a defensive conundrum following the unfortunate ACL injury to summer acquisition Giovanni Leoni, which leaves the team deficient in centre-back options.
With Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, and Joe Gomez as the senior figures in defence, Liverpool’s bid to sign Crystal Palace skipper Marc Guehi fell through on deadline day, leaving them with thin resources at the back. This scarcity could force Liverpool into innovative solutions should either Konate or Gomez succumb to fitness issues.
Gomez, whose contract runs until 2027, has drawn attention from Serie A, with reports from Spain suggesting that AC Milan are keenly interested in the 28-year-old. It’s stated that Gomez, a once pivotal utility player for Liverpool, has ‘one foot out’ of the club, as he no longer fits into Slot’s long-term system.
Sources cite that the negotiations with Milan were advanced in the summer, but a lack of defensive cover saw those talks falter. Liverpool’s inability to secure alternate reinforcements in time meant they had to retain Gomez, much to his chagrin.
Adding intrigue to Liverpool’s defensive strategy, journalist Pete O’Rourke disclosed to Football Insider that Wataru Endo is being eyed as a ‘surprise replacement’ to plug the gap left by Leoni’s injury. Traditionally a midfielder, Endo’s deployment as an auxiliary centre-back indicates the club’s current predicament and their need for versatile options.
“The loss of Leoni is a huge setback,” O’Rourke remarked. “With aspirations across multiple competitions, Liverpool need more depth at centre-back. Endo, with his career primarily spent in midfield, would be a left-field choice but necessity breeds such decisions.”
As the January window approaches, the clock ticks for Liverpool to bolster their back line, or risk being threadbare in defence during a pivotal campaign.
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