Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has confirmed some tough news ahead of their UEFA Champions League clash against Qarabag at Anfield.
The Reds face defensive absences, with the injury to Joe Gomez ruling him out alongside Ibrahima Konate.
This leaves a major gap in the defence at a critical moment, as Liverpool aim to secure a top-eight spot in the Champions League.
A positive result would see them avoid the knockout play-off rounds; they must now handle the tie without two of their most reliable defenders.
Gomez picked up a hip injury during the recent 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth. The defender was sidelined following a heavy collision that forced him off the pitch.
While the injury was not initially thought to be serious, he has not recovered in time for the clash against Qarabag. Slot made it clear that Gomez will be unavailable but played down concerns of a long-term injury, stating the defender should be back soon.
Konate, on the other hand, will be absent due to compassionate leave following the recent passing of his father. The funeral took place in France last week, and Konate has returned to be with his family. The club has provided him with full support, opting not to rush his return to the squad.
Speaking in his press conference, Slot noted: "I've spoken to Ibou and we know he's having a hard time. I'm hoping to have him back soon, but not for tomorrow."
With Gomez and Konate both sidelined, Virgil van Dijk remains the only senior center-back available for selection. Despite these defensive setbacks, Liverpool remain favorites to win the clash.
A victory against Qarabag would secure a place in the top eight, allowing the Reds to avoid the risky playoff round. Even a draw could be enough to progress directly, depending on results elsewhere in the competition.
Questions have been raised regarding whether Liverpool will dip into the January transfer market to address their defensive shortage.
Slot offered a calm response, stating: "I expect him [Gomez] back in a relatively short time."
The Dutchman is known for preferring internal solutions within the squad over opting for quick fixes.
Selection won’t be easy, and Slot may need to get creative with his lineup. One option is to deploy Wataru Endo at center-back, a position he has occupied previously in his career.
Other solutions include Andy Robertson or Ryan Gravenberch, both of whom could drop into the role if required.
Read More: Why Liverpool pulled the plug on Andy Robertson’s January move to Tottenham Hotspur
Young defender Giovanni Leoni could have solved the selection headache, but the Italian is out for the season after tearing his ACL.
In contrast, there has been some positive news from the training ground. Federico Chiesa has returned to full training after missing recent fixtures with a minor fitness issue. The Italian forward is now in contention for a place in the squad.
As Liverpool prepare to face Qarabag, the objective remains to secure a positive result despite the defensive setbacks. Slot will hope his side show enough quality to overcome the crisis and progress directly to the last 16.
