Liverpool's centre-back situation and why Iraola must act

What the report says

BBC Sport reports that Liverpool are facing an immediate shortage at centre-back after Joe Gomez was forced off in the eighth minute of their opening pre-season match against Sunderland. Gomez later missed training in Chicago, with the club expected to provide an injury update this week. New head coach Andoni Iraola had already described the squad as “very thin” in defence, and Virgil van Dijk is currently identified as Liverpool’s only fit senior centre-back.

The report says Liverpool have invested heavily in young defenders, including Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni, while also signing teenage prospects Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe after scouting them at the U17 World Cup in Qatar. But injuries and fitness issues meant Ndiaye and Ndukwe were used for much of the Sunderland game, underlining the gap between long-term planning and short-term squad needs. BBC Sport notes that Jacquet could make his debut against Leeds, while Ndukwe is expected to go on loan because he does not yet meet UK work permit criteria.

Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler told BBC Sport that the need for reinforcements is “fairly obvious,” while also expressing sympathy for Gomez, who has had repeated injury problems since joining from Charlton in 2015. Fowler said Liverpool’s younger defenders may benefit from guidance from Gomez and Van Dijk, but argued that squad depth is vital to maintain standards and competition.

BBC Sport adds that Liverpool’s transfer flexibility may depend on other business, including any move for Bradley Barcola, with sources indicating this summer is unlikely to match last year’s heavy spending. The central issue is not a lack of defensive prospects, but a shortage of experienced, available centre-backs now.