Liverpool are likely to make wholesale changes for Monday’s FA Cup clash with Barnsley as they balance a hectic New Year’s schedule.
The Reds have already played three times in 2026, and although they are yet to register a win, things are beginning to look more positive.
Despite a better outlook, however, Liverpool have continued to see their injury issues pile up, with the defence feeling especially short just now.
mail iconJoin our newsletter for news & smart analysis.
Is winning the FA Cup enough to keep Arne Slot in a job beyond 2025/26? If not, why? 🤔
Jordan Henderson of Liverpool lifts The Emirates FA Cup trophy after their sides victory during The FA Cup Final match between Chelsea and Liverpool at Wembley Stadium
Photo by Naomi Baker – The FA/The FA via Getty Images
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
As he aims to keep Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk fit for Premier League and Champions League duties, Arne Slot will surely be looking to a new centre-back partnership to get them into the next round of the cup. With only Joe Gomez to call upon as back-up, that is not going to be easy.
Thankfully, Liverpool have just done some interesting business in the transfer window, and if international clearance is granted in time, it feels possible that new arrival Mor Talla Ndiaye could be in line for an immediate debut in the Reds’ starting XI.
Mor Talla Ndiaye should partner Joe Gomez vs Barnsley
Ordinarily, there is no way that Ndiaye would be thrown straight in for a game under the lights at Anfield.
However, Liverpool’s lack of centre-back options currently is alarming, and if the 18-year-old is as good as the Reds seem to think he is, then why not get him involved as soon as possible?
Tall Ndiaye on the ball during Senegal's match against Croatia during the FIFA U17 World Cup
Photo by Jurij Kodrun – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images
MORE LIVERPOOL STORIES
READ MORE: Why Liverpool allowed one of Steven Gerrard’s biggest nemeses at their training ground this week
Barnsley are perhaps unlikely to field a regular XI themselves having been sucked into a possible relegation battle in League One, so the standard of opposition should not be a struggle for Ndiaye.
Obviously, there is always a risk of a young centre-back slipping up and doing longer-term damage to his prospects in these kinds of game, as Amara Nallo can attest. But at this point, Liverpool are virtually certain to have to use a youngster alongside Gomez, so why not test out the new boy.
In Gomez he will have as experienced a partner as he could wish for, and with the Liverpool veteran helping him through the game, it would be a great way to settle Ndiaye in for what will hopefully be a long career with the Reds.
Which FA Cup final was the first you remember?
Liverpool list of FA Cup victories
Will Liverpool go all the way again?
👇 Join the debate; share your insight. Use the comment button on the bottom left to have your say
Who are Arne Slot’s other options?
If he was fit, it seems probable that Wataru Endo would be the player chosen to start at centre-back for this one. But the Japanese remains on the sideline with an ankle injury.
Ryan Gravenberch has played deeper at times, but there is no way that Slot risks him here.
Another option is Andy Robertson, and there is a possibility that the left-back moves in-field with Milos Kerkez fine to go again. But, again, it feels more likely that Slot will want to give Kerkez a rest.
The only real options left to the Liverpool head coach are to either pick Konate or Van Dijk – or both for a half – or to go with one of the Reds’ talented young defenders.
We think he will pick the latter option, and although our choice would be to test Ndiaye out, Wellity Lucky might end up being the one to get the nod. Nallo may come into the thinking as well, but with Lucky currently ahead of the 19-year-old in the pecking order, he feels the most likely. Either way, Liverpool fans are set to get a good look at a promising young centre-back.
Join Our Newsletter
Receive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox