Manager Arne Slot has a decision to make which requires him to go back on his own word. He needs to reverse his stance on transfers as injuries threaten to derail his title defence.
As it is a hattrick of losses has exposed chinks in the Liverpool armour. Relying on late winners to get the most of the wins, the Reds were flying high. Opening up a sizeable five-point lead in the Premier League it seemed the defending champions will win in a canter.
However injuries to crucial players now threaten to put their title defence in danger. Ibrahima Konate was sent home from the France squad due to his thigh injury. Spending his time mostly on the sidelines, he wasn’t featured in France’s win over Azerbaijan.
A decisive transfer in the January window may be the call that leads Liverpool back to the title.
Quiz: Name the team Liverpool signed these players from in the 2010s
Arne Slot needs to revisit transfer plans
A second crack at Marc Guehi is what Liverpool needs (Credits: Imago Images)
Losing Giovanni Leoni for the season was a crucial blow to Slot’s plans. Making his debut for the club, he was stretchered off with a torn ACL. Potential backup Wataru Endo also had to pull out of Japan’s squad. And now Konate’s return date is up in the air.
Fans are now ruing missing out on Marc Guehi’s signing with Virgil Van Djik and Joe Gomez the only two fit recognised centre-backs in the squad. A slight niggle to either of them will see the season come apart at the seams. Something fans know all too well.
Liverpool were defending a title in 2020/21 when Van Djik was ruled out for the season. Other major defensive options soon joined him on the sidelines as their title hopes went up in smoke.
Having indicated of no plans to buy in January, Slot must change his tactics. “That all depends on whether we get more injuries, yes or no, and if there’s a chance in the market.”, Slot said a few days back.
The injuries are here and the manager needs to go back on Guehi deal or find someone else who can fit into his plans. Otherwise rivals will have the last laugh. The early pace setters have slid to second on the table and will be facing bitter rivals Manchester United on resumption of the league.
