Even at the start of the new season, questions have surfaced about whether Liverpool’s centre-back situation is secure. While Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté form a strong core, there is lingering concern whether the numbers are enough to cope with European competitions and domestic cup demands.
The Departure of Jarell Quansah
One notable young centre-back from Liverpool’s own ranks was Jarell Quansah. However, he has transferred to Bayer Leverkusen. Although there is a buy-back option, the move is a full transfer, so bringing him back wouldn’t be straightforward. I myself was coming to terms with it on the premise that it would ultimately benefit Quansah.
Giovanni Leoni’s Long Term Absence
Besides Van Dijk and Konaté, Joe Gomez and the newly acquired young prospect Giovanni Leoni were expected to provide depth at centre-back. Leoni made a strong impression in his Liverpool debut, but he suffered a major injury during the match. It is said to be an anterior cruciate ligament rupture, with an expected layoff of about a year.
Injury Strikes Konaté Too
What has been keeping Liverpool’s centre-back line somewhat stable are Van Dijk and Konaté. But as already mentioned, Konaté also reported an injury with the French national team. He has injured his right thigh. While we hope it’s not too serious, it likely isn’t just a bruise — recovery will take time. Depending on the length of Konaté’s absence and the upcoming fixtures, this will be a painful blow for Liverpool.
Moving Away from a Van Dijk-Centric Approach
At this point, Liverpool’s main hope is the captain, Van Dijk. Since joining the club, he has maintained remarkably high availability. Many fans—myself included—sometimes hope he gets rest. Ideally, Liverpool would have liked to experiment with different centre-back deployments while Van Dijk remains fit. But with so many injuries in the same position, the burden on the captain grows heavier. I believe it’s becoming increasingly important for Liverpool to gradually lessen the assumption that Van Dijk must always play.
Joe Gomez as the Immediate Backup
We need to see how serious Konaté’s injury is and how long he’ll be sidelined. For now, the likely backup centre-back is Joe Gomez. He is gifted, though he has not yet fully gained the club’s trust. I think this is a pity — but in this situation, we must rely on Gomez.
Another Centre-Back in the Senior Squad
In the senior team’s centre-back roster, you’ll also find the name of Rhys Williams. He’s remembered for stepping up during Liverpool’s previous centre-back crisis. At that time, alongside Nat Phillips, he fought valiantly to support the team. There was also the sudden recall of Ozan Kabak on loan in that period. As for Williams’s current condition — if Konaté’s absence stretches several matches, it’s reasonable to expect him to at least make the bench.
Will Conversions Become Necessary?
As discussed so far, if the strategy continues to revolve around “Van Dijk first,” the captain risks being overworked. With Gomez and Williams available, it’s possible that Manager Jürgen Klopp might resort to converting players from midfield. Who might that be? Among those who have some experience are Wataru Endō, Andy Robertson, and Ryan Gravenberch. Still, I believe that using players in their natural positions is better; conversion should be a last-resort measure for crisis mitigation.
Even if Liverpool plans to bring in reinforcements, the earliest point for that might be January. Until then, how to make do — that’s where Klopp’s managerial skill will be tested. Let’s hope they hold on and bring Liverpool back into a positive loop of momentum.