The widening gaps in Liverpool’s first-team squad look unlikely to be solved by dipping into the transfer market this January.
Supporters headed into the New Year living in hope of seeing the Reds make a centre-back signing, but are set to end it angry at the lack of any business being done.
Instead, Arne Slot is having to come up with more imaginative ideas to solve his defensive issues.
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On Wednesday, as Liverpool swept into the last-16 of the Champions League with a thumping win over Qarabag, that involved moving Ryan Gravenberch from central midfield to centre-back.
It was notable that when he turned to his substitutes bench during the second-half, however, Slot chose to use Amara Nallo as his first switch at centre-back. After consecutive sendings-off in his first two Liverpool appearances, it was a vote of confidence from the Dutch coach and could indicate a shift in thinking regarding Nallo.
Amara Nallo still has a future at Liverpool
When Liverpool brought in youngster Mor Talla Ndiaye earlier this month, there had been suggestions that Nallo was set to leave on loan for the rest of the season.
However, Ndiaye has since been revealed to have an injury issue, likely meaning the former West Ham youngster stays put.
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After his unbelievable first two appearances for Liverpool, many supporters had perhaps felt that this would not matter anyway. Surely the 19-year-old has blown his chance of playing for the Reds, despite their current predicament at centre-back.
On Wednesday, Slot took a grenade to that kind of thinking. By bringing Nallo on for the final 16 minutes at Anfield, he gave the youngster the chance to wipe his slate clean.
The Reds may have been 5-0 up at the time, but the substitution allowed Nallo to steady himself next to Virgil van Dijk and show that he can still be an option as Slot looks for centre-half solutions. The Dutchman deserves credit for that.
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How high is Nallo in Liverpool’s options?
Ibrahima Konate is expected to be back available this weekend after missing 10 days through compassionate leave.
If he’s mentally ready to do so, then the Frenchman will likely come straight back into Slot’s XI.
For Nallo, this should mean a place on the bench again, but with Joe Gomez injured, the teenager is nominally next in-line to play.
Gravenberch could be used ahead of him again, but that is dependent on availability in midfield, while Wataru Endo may now be needed at right-back. The knock-on effect of all this could mean Nallo is now Liverpool’s third-choice central defender.
Slot showed on Wednesday that, contrary to popular belief, he does rate Nallo highly and could potentially put trust in him when things matter even more. With his double sending-off behind him, the young talent looks ready to step in if needed.
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