Liverpool’s issues at centre-back could mean Arne Slot has to dip into the club’s academy to paper over the cracks this winter.
The Reds picked up another problem on Saturday afternoon after seeing Joe Gomez forced off with a muscle injury against Brighton.
Although Gomez has been regularly featuring at right-back this season, he was also one of only three senior options currently available to Slot at centre-half.
mail iconJoin our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
200 appearances in red for Curtis Jones 😍 What do you think the future holds for the Scouser?
Curtis Jones 200 games for Liverpool
Will he fulfil his talent at Liverpool?
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Down to only Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk, Slot is either going to have to pick players out of position or put trust in some of the young talent on Liverpool‘s books to help keep his first-choice pairing fit.
If he decides to go down the latter route, Wellity Lucky is beginning to stand out as the youngster most likely to get the nod. But after being named on the bench for Liverpool’s last two fixtures, who is the promising defender?
Wellity Lucky has been slowly developing at Liverpool
Lucky has played once already for Liverpool this season, making his debut during October’s dismal loss against Crystal Palace at Anfield.
The 19-year-old has long been seen as a potential first-teamer for the Reds having joined at U13 level.
Wellity Lucky of Liverpool grapples with Manuel Bahaty during the UEFA Youth League match against PSV Eindhoven.
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
READ MORE: ‘Quick’ Liverpool youngster on track to become genuine option for Arne Slot at centre-back
Lucky was born in Zaragoza, Spain to Nigerian parents and spent time with local club Real Zaragoza before his family relocated to England.
From there, Lucky joined Liverpool and has been steadily making his way towards the first-team ever since.
The teenager built a strong partnership with Amara Nallo in the U18s, with former youth coach Barry Lewtas hailing the pair in September 2024.
“They blocked, they tackled, they headed everything away,” Lewtas praised after an impressive UEFA Youth League showing against AC Milan.
Who is Wellity Lucky?
Wellity Lucky of Liverpool grapples with Manuel Bahaty during the UEFA Youth League match against PSV Eindhoven.
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Wellity Lucky
Position: Centre-back/Right-back
DOB: 12/01/2006 (19)
First-team appearances: 1
Plays a bit like: William Saliba
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
With Nallo being sent off on his first two senior appearances for Liverpool, Lucky appears to have jumped ahead of his partner in the first-team pecking order.
How close is Lucky to another senior appearance?
It remains to be seen just how bad Gomez’s injury is but as things stand, Lucky is quickly nearing the top of centre-back options for Slot.
The Liverpool head coach could move Ryan Gravenberch back into the centre of defence, but with Wataru Endo currently missing as well, he is a little short on cover for the Dutchman in midfield.
Perhaps the one player who stands ahead of Lucky right now is Andy Robertson, who could fill in in an emergency situation.
However, Robertson is far from being a natural centre-back, and as he aims to flesh out his squad with Liverpool academy players who are capable of playing when needed, Slot would be better to put his trust in Lucky.
The Spaniard has also played at right-back during his time in the youth teams, and having impressed coaches along the way, he is nearing payoff time.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox