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Arne Slot has already identified two players who could bolster his defence.
Giovanni Leoni sustained an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during Liverpool's 2-0 victory over Southampton in the Carabao Cup third round on Tuesday. The 18-year-old defender was having a promising debut at Anfield before he was carried off the pitch.
In a post-match interview, Slot indicated that Leoni would undergo further medical assessment – and his tone wasn't particularly hopeful. Following scans on Wednesday, it has now been confirmed that Leoni has suffered a serious knee injury. Liverpool is not currently providing a timeline for the Italian's return, but it's understood that the club's medical team is worried about a significant problem for the young Italian player.
A prolonged absence would leave the Reds with just three senior center-backs. However, Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate have had their own injury troubles in the past, and their futures at Anfield remain somewhat uncertain.
Gomez attracted interest from AC Milan and Brighton during the summer transfer window, while Konate has recently entered the final year of his contract. Slot might be tempted to give Rhys Williams, Amara Nallo or Luke Chambers an opportunity to shine, as each has previously played for the first team.
Williams stayed on the substitutes' bench during the Reds' encounter with Southampton on Tuesday, though the 24-year-old, who spent last term on loan at Morecambe, hasn't featured in the first-team setup since 2021.
Nallo received his marching orders on his Liverpool bow against PSV Eindhoven last January, whilst Chambers is yet to feature at any level this campaign following an injury-plagued loan stint at Wigan that was curtailed last season.
Slot might opt to utilize a more seasoned player in Leoni's absence, with Andy Robertson concluding the Carabao Cup encounter against Southampton in defence. The Scotland captain operated as a center-half against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League last term.
Nevertheless, Slot has already identified two alternative possibilities. When addressing Liverpool's unsuccessful chase for Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi on deadline day, the Dutchman mentioned two midfielders who could feature in defence.
"Ryan (Gravenberch) and Wata (Endo) can play there," stated Slot earlier this month. "So it is not like all of a sudden we don't have options in that position anymore."
Gravenberch has never started a match at center-back, but he is whom Slot relied upon when Liverpool failed to secure a new holding midfielder last year. Meanwhile, Endo actually commenced his career as a center-back in Japan, and he's appeared there on several occasions for Liverpool.
During the summer, while reflecting on his limited game time from the previous season, the 32-year-old suggested he might be utilized as a center-back option moving forward.
Throughout the Reds' pre-season tour of the Far East, Endo remarked: "I don't mind where I play. I just give 100 percent, even if I play number six or center-back or right-back. That's my style. I played as a center-back when I played in Japan, so I don't mind which position I play, and I just give 100 percent every time."
Additionally, during a live question and answer session in his hometown of Kanagawa, he commented: "I think there's a high possibility that I'll play in various positions in the future, so I think it'll be fine if we can carry that over to the next stage."
With Leoni set to be ruled out for several months, Liverpool might reassess its interest in Guehi when January arrives. However, such a move had previously been considered unlikely given that the defender will be available on a free transfer at the end of the campaign. At present, it remains unclear whether this position will now be reconsidered following the Reds' latest injury setback.
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