Liverpool has been hit with yet another injury blow in defense after Joe Gomez was forced off during the first half against Bournemouth.
The England international had to be replaced by Wataru Endo after being clattered by his own goalkeeper Alisson Becker as he desperately tried to prevent Evanilson from scoring the hosts' opening goal.
The goal came after a costly mistake from Virgil van Dijk, who failed to get enough on his touch on a long ball from the Cherries, enabling Alex Scott to keep the ball in play and cut it back for Evanilson to provide the finish.
Things got even worse for the Reds soon after, with Alex Jimenez scoring a second for Bournemouth as the visitors had to play on with Ryan Gravenberch partnering Van Dijk in defense, with Endo only making his way onto the pitch after the goal was confirmed by VAR.
Gomez's injury will come as a major concern for Liverpool and Arne Slot. The Reds were already without Ibrahima Konate, with the French international still away following the death of his father.
Fellow center-back Giovanni Leoni looks set to miss the rest of the season after rupturing his ACL back in September, while right-back Conor Bradley has also been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after undergoing surgery on his knee, having been stretchered off against Arsenal earlier this month.
Despite the lack of options in defense, Liverpool decided against making a move for Marc Guehi after missing out on the former Crystal Palace captain during the summer, with Manchester City instead winning the race for his signature.
Should Gomez face more time out injured, it will call into question Liverpool's approach to the January transfer window, with Slot having suggested on Friday that there will be no major signings made before deadline day on February 2.
“Yeah, that’s what I expect,” Slot responded when asked whether his squad will remain as it is.
“But, as I always say, if there’s an opportunity in the market, or if we think we can strengthen the squad, then this club will always try to do so, but at this moment in time, I expect it to stay mainly the same.”
Liverpool.com says: Even if Gomez escapes any sort of serious injury, Liverpool MUST sign a new defender before the end of the window. Ignoring Guehi felt like a huge gamble, and so it is proving to be.