Liverpool team news confirmed vs Qarabag as Arne Slot makes shock center-back decision

The Liverpool head coach admitted in Tuesday's press conference that he would have to name a midfielder at the heart of defense, but he made a surprising selection for the Champions League encounter

Arne Slot has selected Ryan Gravenberch at center-back for the Champions League clash against Qarabag(Image: 2026 Getty Images)

Arne Slot has made a shock selection at center-back, with Ryan Gravenberch expected to play at the heart of defense for the Champions League encounter against Qarabag.

The Reds are facing a shortage of defensive options, with Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni unavailable, meaning Virgil van Dijk is the only natural center-back available. He starts in the decisive Champions League clash along with his international colleague, Gravenberch.

"For sure, at center-back tomorrow, there will not be a center-back," said Slot in Tuesday’s press conference. "I can only play a midfielder there because there is nobody available other than Virgil, whom I credit a lot for being available all of the time.

"At his age, to constantly be ready to play another 90, is not something we should take for granted."

Slot has opted against starting Wataru Endo, who came on to replace the injured Joe Gomez at the Vitality on Sunday.

Slot admitted in Tuesday's press conference that he would have to select a midfielder at center-back(Image: Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Elsewhere in defense, Jeremie Frimpong and Andy Robertson, line up at full-back, with the latter continuing to be linked with a move away from Liverpool in the final days of the winter window. Robertson's inclusion sees Milos Kerkez drop out, while the back four will shield Alisson in the home goal.

It's Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz in midfield for Liverpool, with Curtis Jones missing out on the squad altogether.

In the attacking areas, Mohamed Salah continues on the right and is looking for his first Champions League goals since the opening European match of the campaign.

Salah has not scored in the Champions League since the opening game against Atletico

Cody Gakpo is set to start on the left, with Hugo Ekitike returning up front.

The striker was named on the bench at the Vitality and Slot admitted ahead of the game that he is wary of overexerting the striker, who remains the Reds' only natural no.9.

On the bench, Federico Chiesa returns after missing the last two games with a knock.

Youngster Amara Nallo has been called up to the first team given the lack of defenders. The 19-year-old has made two senior matches for the Reds and was sent off in both. Kieran Morrison, who has played once this season, is also among the substitutes.

Liverpool has only named a bench of nine players, two of which are goalkeepers.

Liverpool starting XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Gravenberch, Van Dijk, Robertson; Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.

Substitutes: Mamardashvili, Woodman, Nallo, Kerkez, Nyoni, Morrison, Chiesa, Ngumoha.