Liverpool is facing a significant defensive crisis just weeks before the official start of the Andoni Iraola era. Injuries and a lack of senior options at center-back threaten to derail the new manager's ambitions before the season even begins.
If the opening match were tomorrow, Liverpool would have only captain Virgil van Dijk as a fit senior center-back. Van Dijk, 35, has been granted an extended break following the World Cup and has not yet begun pre-season training. Joe Gomez, a versatile defender, recently sustained an injury in the Reds' pre-season opener against Sunderland, marking his ninth separate layoff since the start of the 2023-24 season. Gomez's injury record has made him an unreliable option, with limited starts in recent seasons.
Beyond the senior players, the club's depth relies on two young signings, Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni. Both are considered highly talented but are currently unavailable. Jacquet, 21, who joined from Rennes in January, is managing a shoulder problem and is expected to miss further pre-season matches. Leoni, 19, who signed last year, is recovering from a torn cruciate ligament sustained on his debut in September.
Even when Jacquet and Leoni return, their lack of experience means they would ideally be eased into the squad, rather than being immediately thrust into crucial roles. Teenagers Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe have been forced to play in defense during pre-season due to the shortage, though Ndukwe is also facing work permit issues and may be loaned out.
The defensive issues come at a time when Iraola is also expected to find a replacement for Mohamed Salah on the right wing. The club invested heavily in players like Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz last summer, but this season's squad appears particularly thin in key areas.
While Iraola has made a positive impression in his initial weeks, reports suggest that without at least two or three new signings, particularly in defense, he faces an uphill struggle to guide Liverpool back to glory. The urgency for reinforcements is underscored by the mounting injuries and the limited options available to the new manager.
Liverpool's need for defensive reinforcements has been highlighted by past transfer windows, including a failed attempt to sign Marc Guehi last summer and the departure of Ibrahima Konate on a free transfer. The current situation suggests that backing Iraola in the transfer market is crucial for the club's immediate and long-term success.