Liverpool are not pursuing a move for Tottenham Hotspur defender Djed Spence, despite being depleted defensively because of injuries. Links to the versatile full-back are believed to have stemmed from the player's camp.
Defensive crisis deepens
With only two weeks until the new Premier League season, Andoni Iraola has yet to call upon a first-choice backline. Conor Bradley remains a long-term absentee with a serious knee injury, while Giovanni Leoni is not yet ready to return after injuring his ACL last September. Jeremy Jacquet is yet to feature for his new side, and Joe Gomez will miss the start of the campaign after suffering a muscle injury.
Jeremie Frimpong asked to be taken off in the final friendly against Leeds United, and Virgil van Dijk, now 35, only trained with his team-mates for the first time this summer on Wednesday. Supporters are concerned, recalling the 2021 injury crisis that undermined a title defence.
Options limited
Van Dijk is likely to make his first pre-season appearance against Monaco on Sunday. Jacquet was again missing from team training on Wednesday. Ifeanyi Ndukwe impressed on the US tour but is set to depart on loan after failing to qualify for a work permit. Luke Chambers, who scored against Leeds, is traditionally a left-back and may also leave temporarily. Mor Talla Ndiaye did not train with the first team on Wednesday.
Ryan Gravenberch and Wataru Endo could act as makeshift centre-backs, but that would heighten calls for reinforcements. At right-back, Calvin Ramsay is an option but has never played in the Premier League. Dominik Szoboszlai conceded he might have to play right-back again: “Last season I managed to play a lot of positions. Let’s see. Hopefully he will put me in the midfield but if he needs me at right-back, happy to do that!”
Transfer priorities
The Reds have not closed the door on defensive reinforcements, but enhancing the attack remains the priority. Talks have been held with Paris Saint-Germain for Bradley Barcola, and Ibrahim Mbaye is another option. If the right opportunity arises at the back, there is a willingness to act.
Spence is not being pursued. A right-sided defender capable of playing both centre-back and right-back would be a better fit; Fikayo Tomori, Ezri Konsa, and Jarell Quansah have been linked. At left-back, Kostas Tsimikas is vying with Milos Kerkez after Andy Robertson's free transfer to Spurs.
With at least three centre-back options ruled out for the start of the season along with Bradley, Liverpool can hardly afford more absentees. Anfield clashes with Monaco and Como await, with the Reds facing the Serie A side twice on the same day. All available defensive options will get game-time, but whether there are enough bodies to manage the start of the campaign without further reinforcements remains up for debate.
