Liverpool dealt surprise double injury blow

Liverpool's injury crisis is in a bad state right now and things could not get any worse.

Even though the football is dire and the Reds should be playing a lot better, it's hard not to sympathise with Arne Slot right now.

The reality is that his job is not easy. It's not a breeze in the park like it was last season. Slot now has to deal with an imbalanced squad and players who do not fit the style of play that he wants to deploy.

At the same time, he's also missing so many key personnel. Liverpool's recruitment in the summer was impressive but it still left the squad short of depth.

In attack, with Alexander Isak's long-term injury, Slot is having to rely on Hugo Ekitike.

In defence, Ibrahima Konate has been unavailable due to a terrible bereavement and Joe Gomez has also picked up a knock. Meanwhile, Giovanni Leoni is out for the rest of the season.

This leaves Slot having to pick Wataru Endo alongside Virgil van Dijk, because he doesn't have any other recognised centre-backs in the squad.

Normally, at times like this Liverpool's head-coach would have called upon some academy players. Liverpool have brought in reinforcements this month with the arrival of Mor Talla Ndiaye.

However, the talented Senegalese international is not available at the moment as confirmed by U21 head-coach Rob Page speaking to This is Anfield.

The Liverpool coach revealed that Ndiaye has a minor issue and he will be out for a few weeks before he can start training initially with the U21s.

Elsewhere, the most talented centre-back option in the U21 squad is probably Wellity Lucky. However, The Athletic has reported that the Spanish youth international is also ruled out with an injury and is expected to be out for at least two months.

That's a terrible blow for the player and for Slot as well. It leaves him with such limited options.

His alternative is to play Amara Nallo, but he is extremely raw and picked up two red cards in his first two first-team appearances for the club.

Nallo on the other hand is also expected to go out on loan. So, that means there's Carter Pinnington and Rhys Williams, who remain an option for the head-coach.

That's not a lot to pick from and it makes Slot's job even more difficult.

Liverpool still have time to enter the market with the window open until Monday next week. But it looks like they are unlikely to act. They opted not to sign Marc Guehi, even though he was available.

He joined Manchester City in a move Richard Hughes may come to regret.

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