Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola has stated that he has no alternative but to rely on young players to address a significant defensive crisis, as Joe Gomez is expected to be sidelined for the start of the new season. This situation leaves the club with a shortage of experienced center-backs.
Virgil van Dijk is reportedly back working with the team but is not participating in the pre-season tour. Jeremy Jacquet has not yet featured, and Giovanni Leoni is undergoing rehabilitation for a cruciate ligament injury. Gomez sustained a muscle injury in a recent friendly, which Iraola estimated would keep him out for approximately one month, making his participation in the season opener unlikely.
“It’s difficult to say – normally one month. If it goes very well, then a little bit less. If it goes bad then a bit more but it’s a muscle injury,” Iraola said. “It’s not massive. It will be impossible to have him for the start of the season because we are not so far (away) but it shouldn’t be a lot more.”
Iraola has placed his confidence in 18-year-old Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who is unable to play this season due to work permit issues, and Luke Chambers, a left-back who was on loan at Charlton last season. The manager noted that the team has demonstrated composure and defensive solidity in recent friendlies against Sunderland and Wrexham, despite featuring such young center-backs.
“A lot of players have surprised me, especially the young players I did not know before. They have given a very, very high level in these friendlies,” Iraola commented. “They have to grow, which is very good. We will recover players. We have done a great job with these players the first two weeks then we have to integrate the new ones slowly. These players know where we are going and can help us.”
In addition to defensive concerns, Iraola also expressed his desire for all wingers to be proficient on both flanks. This comes amidst speculation that the club's primary target for a wide forward is Paris Saint-Germain's Bradley Barcola, who is reportedly valued at £140 million.
Dominik Szoboszlai, who recently signed a five-year contract extension, has spoken positively about Iraola's impact. “He is very good, the intensity we need is here now. What we have been missing is back, from the coach and players as well. So now we have to put this together with the team we have,” Szoboszlai stated.