Liverpool were dealt a big blow on Wednesday after seeing Jeremie Frimpong pick up a hamstring injury during the Champions League win against Qarabag.
The Reds were already struggling at right-back with Conor Bradley ruled out for the rest of the season with a knee problem.
Frimpong now looks set for an extended period on the sidelines, leaving Liverpool without a single recognised right-back in the squad.
Who was Liverpool’s best player on a much better night at Anfield?
So many good displays vs Qarabag
Joe Gomez is also out for the time being, meaning Arne Slot turned to Wataru Endo for the majority of Wednesday’s match.
The Japanese did well on a comfortable night for Liverpool, and having endured a frustrating season of his own this term, Endo looks set to become an unlikely hero during the second half of the campaign.
Wataru Endo should be Liverpool’s latest right-back
First things first, Wednesday was not the barometer to test who can fill in for Frimpong and Bradley in the long-term for Liverpool.
Qarabag came to get a result at Anfield, and their openness played right into the Reds’ hands. Defensively, they were always comfortable.
Nevertheless, Endo still had to do his job in an unfamiliar position, and he did what he had to do expertly well.
Liverpool fans will want to see some action in the transfer market, and perhaps there is a chance Richard Hughes will have to make some frantic calls before Monday’s deadline.
But the Reds have shown no willingness to enter the market so far, and that may mean Slot is forced to use what he has. If that is the case, Endo did his chances no harm on Wednesday.
Who should be Liverpool’s starting right-back now Jeremie Frimpong is injured?
He could be missing for some time…
Who are Liverpool’s other options?
Whoever Slot turns to to play at right-back, it is virtually guaranteed to be someone who is not a natural in the position.
Dominik Szoboszlai has featured at full-back a number of times already this season, and the Hungarian will certainly be in Slot’s thinking as Newcastle visit Anfield on Saturday.
Curtis Jones is another who could do it, although he missed out on Wednesday’s game through injury.
Perhaps Andy Robertson could be shifted across to the opposite side, or maybe a youth-team option such as DJ Esdaille could even come into the thinking?
No option is ideal for Slot, and this is a genuine worry for Liverpool, despite the resounding win over Qarabag. Having proven himself and settled in during the thumping win over the Azerbaijanis, though, we think Endo might have done enough to keep the shirt.
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox
