Liverpool’s Defensive Dilemma: Van Dijk’s Assurance Amid Injury Crisis

The recent signing of captain Virgil van Dijk to a two-year contract with Liverpool was met with significant relief; however, Arne Slot’s squad is still lacking depth in central defense. Ibrahima Konate has yet to renew his contract, which is set to expire in 2026, amidst speculation linking him to Real Madrid. In mid-August, the Merseyside club invested approximately £30 million ($41 million) in promising Parma talent, Leoni, anticipating his development as a future star. Initially, the plan was for him to acclimate and receive limited game time while positioned behind Van Dijk and Konate. Unfortunately, just over a month after joining Anfield, the Italy Under-19 international sustained a severe injury during a Carabao Cup match against Southampton, leaving Liverpool with a depleted defense.

Following the injury in late September, Slot remarked, “He is not in a good place, of course, because he tore his ACL, which means he will be out for a year. Being so young and coming to a new country while performing well in your first game makes it very difficult to find a silver lining. There is no positive aspect in this situation, but we must focus on the fact that he is still young and has many years ahead of him after recovering from such a serious injury.”

Liverpool’s failure to secure Crystal Palace’s Marc Guehi has proven detrimental in this regard. In October, the club was linked with 25-year-old Dortmund star Nico Schlotterbeck as a potential replacement for Konate, should he decide to leave. The German international, capped 22 times, has made a strong impression in the Bundesliga, catching the attention of Premier League and La Liga clubs.

However, it appears that Liverpool will not aggressively pursue the 6ft 3in defender, who has expressed hesitance to commit to a new contract with the German club. He stated in October, “BVB will be my first point of contact, and we will see how the next few months unfold. It matters whether you are in 11th place in March or competing in the Champions League again. All I can say is: I feel good.”

According to reports from DaveOCKOP, Liverpool is also monitoring Sporting CP defender Ousmane Diomande. Crystal Palace had previously shown interest in the 21-year-old as a replacement for Guehi, but with the England international remaining at the club, that pursuit was paused. The Eagles were involved in ‘advanced’ negotiations with Sporting for a deal valued between £40-50 million ($53-66 million) for the Ivory Coast international, but Liverpool’s interest is reportedly less intense. In fact, DaveOCKOP claims Schlotterbeck is viewed as a more suitable option for Slot.

Meanwhile, Liverpool is hopeful that Van Dijk and Konate can maintain their fitness, though Joe Gomez is available as a backup should they be sidelined. Slot’s team invested heavily during the summer on high-profile players like Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, but the decision not to bolster their defensive line appears to be a mistake, especially given the current instability, exacerbated by an injury to goalkeeper Alisson. The reigning Premier League champions find themselves seven points adrift of leaders Arsenal after just ten matches. Their upcoming fixture against a resurgent Manchester City at the Etihad could prove decisive for their title defense; a loss coupled with an Arsenal victory would significantly jeopardize their chances.