Liverpool’s desperate need for help at centre-back was laid bare during Wednesday’s Champions League match against Qarabag.
The Reds actually turned in a much-improved performance to thrash the Azerbaijani side 6-0, but that did not tell the whole story at Anfield.
The other side of the coin was once again relating to injuries in key areas, specifically in the Liverpool defence.
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Liverpool could yet enter the transfer market to sign a right-back after seeing Jeremie Frimpong join Conor Bradley on the injury list. They have only five days left to act.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s baffling decision not to buy a new centre-back this winter was also highlighted, with Ryan Gravenberch forced to step in alongside Virgil van Dijk. But after the Dutchman delivered a composed display, Hugo Ekitike joked that the Reds had now found an alternative to long-term target Marc Guehi.
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Gravenberch has filled in at centre-back for Liverpool before and has always looked remarkably comfortable when doing so.
Although it was not the most taxing of opposition, he did that once again, strolling through the match with Van Dijk beside him.
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Had many supporters got their way, they would have been watching Guehi line up for this one after joining from Crystal Palace. Instead, the 25-year-old once again took his place in Man City’s back four.
For Ekitike, this is clearly something to put his tongue firmly in his cheek about. After Gravenberch shared an Instagram post celebrating Liverpool’s qualification for the Champions League last-16, the Frenchman simply commented ‘Guehi!!’ alongside a cry-laughing emoji.
Ekitike may be joking, but unless Ibrahima Konate comes back in for Saturday’s game with Newcastle, Gravenberch is likely to go again in defence.
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Of course, injury is not the only reason for Liverpool being short in defence at the moment.
In a matter which is far, far more important than being available for the Reds, Konate’s father sadly passed away last week.
Rightly, the club have given the 26-year-old all the time he needs to feel capable of playing once again and if that does not arrive by the weekend then he should not be asked to feature against Newcastle.
Speaking after Wednesday’s game, however, Arne Slot confirmed that he is expecting to have Konate available for Saturday.
That may stop Gravenberch from keeping his Guehi impression going, but he has shown that he can step in if need be in the future.
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