Arne Slot explores ‘surprise’ option to replace Giovanni Leoni at Liverpool
Arne Slot is being forced to consider a range of options to fill in at centre-back amid concerns about their lack of depth following Giovanni Leoni’s injury.
Leoni looks set to miss months as he recovers from what has been labelled a “devastating” injury, leaving the Reds scrambling for options to cover at the back.
Joe Gomez is the only senior option behind Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate, but his fitness issues remain a concern, potentially forcing Liverpool into the transfer market.
After missing out on signing Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day, Liverpool have five options on their shortlist to add cover in the January window.
Wataru Endo emerges as an option to replace Giovanni Leoni
With over two months to go until the January transfer window, Liverpool are scrambling to find cover at the back in case of any additional blows to their defence.
As I revealed on the latest edition of Football Insider’s Inside Track podcast, Wataru Endo is being considered by Slot as a potential short-term replacement.
Ryan Gravenberch dropped into the role after Konate’s withdrawal in Liverpool’s 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, but Endo remains under consideration should they face further injury issues.
Speaking on the Inside Track podcast, I explained: “It was a huge blow to lose Leoni, it looks like it could sideline him for the rest of the season.
“It does leave Liverpool short of centre-back options, there’s no getting away from that.
“So, now they’re down to Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez and probably Endo as a sort of cover centre-back, which is a surprise given he has played his whole career in midfield.
“Especially if they plan to be competing for honours on all fronts this year, they probably do need more cover than that at centre-back.
“If there are any more injuries there, they could find themselves in a real difficult position.”
Given their lack of depth at the back, Endo could be forced to play a different role, having regularly filled in there during his career despite his more advanced position for Liverpool.
Liverpool to accelerate Marc Guehi move after Leoni blow
Football Insider revealed on 27 September that Liverpool could revive their interest in Guehi, having initially planned to wait until the end of the season.
However, they are no longer the only contenders for Guehi given his likely availability on a free transfer, with the likes of Real Madrid and Chelsea now interested.
Football Insider revealed on 22 September that Barcelona and Bayern Munich want to sign Guehi on a free transfer at the end of the season.
Football Insider revealed on 8 September that Real Madrid could offer Guehi as “huge” signing-on fee to convince him to make the switch ahead of Liverpool.
Leoni’s injury has accelerated Slot’s plans, but after missing out during the summer window, they could be set to miss out altogether in another significant blow.
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