Liverpool will need to rely on their current center-back options when they face Brentford, as young defender Jarell Quansah is likely to miss the match due to injury. This update comes from The Echo’s Paul Gorst, who reported on X (formerly Twitter) that Quansah was absent from the most recent training session at the AXA Centre. This follows an earlier confirmation of Quansah’s injury by Arne Slot, creating concerns for Liverpool’s defensive lineup.
Liverpool began their 2024/25 Premier League campaign with a 2-0 victory over Ipswich Town, a newly promoted side. The win was largely secured by a much-improved performance in the second half. Despite this promising start, the absence of Quansah adds to the challenges facing Liverpool’s defense as they prepare for the upcoming fixtures.
Currently, Liverpool has a few center-back options available. Virgil van Dijk, the team’s captain and most experienced defender, remains a pivotal figure in the backline. Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate offers athleticism and strong defensive capabilities, while Joe Gomez provides versatility, being able to play both centrally and as a right-back. These three players form the core of Liverpool’s central defensive options. However, the potential absence of Quansah raises concerns, particularly given the injury histories of both Konate and Gomez.
Beyond these three, Liverpool does have Nat Phillips as an option. Phillips, however, is considered the fifth-choice center-back and has not been a regular starter for the team. While he has proven himself to be a reliable defender in the past, particularly during the 2020/21 season when Liverpool faced an injury crisis, relying on him as a consistent starter could be risky. Additionally, turning to unproven Academy players to fill the gap left by Quansah would be far from ideal for a team with Liverpool’s ambitions.
Given the injury-prone nature of some of their key defenders, Liverpool might be taking a significant risk by not bolstering their defensive options before the transfer window closes. While Quansah’s injury is not expected to be long-term, the lack of depth in central defense could leave Liverpool vulnerable if further injuries occur. The club might find themselves in a difficult situation if they do not make room in the squad for additional reinforcements, particularly as the season progresses and the fixture list becomes more congested.
In summary, while Liverpool still has a solid trio of central defenders available in van Dijk, Konate, and Gomez, the injury to Quansah, coupled with the injury history of some of their defenders, could present a challenge. The club may need to consider strengthening their squad to avoid taking unnecessary risks as they navigate the rest of the season.
