Overview

• Joe Gomez left Liverpool’s pre-season tour in Hong Kong with a minor Achilles injury and is undergoing treatment in Merseyside.
• His absence leaves Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté as the only fit senior centre-backs available for Slot’s squad.
• Liverpool sold academy graduate Jarell Quansah to Bayer Leverkusen in July without securing a replacement.
• Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi has emerged as Liverpool’s primary defensive target ahead of the September transfer deadline.
• Slot has voiced confidence in supplementary options like midfielders Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endō, but stressed the urgency of strengthening the backline.