Liverpool's options are running low in defense after Joe Gomez's injury at the weekend, and the Reds have just received a further blow as another player is ruled out
James Findlater Content Editor
18:36, 26 Jan 2026
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
Arne Slot's options in defense are running low after yet another injury(Image: Getty Images)
Liverpool has been hit with yet another injury blow as the Reds’ defensive options continue to run low, with Wellity Lucky the latest player to be ruled out.
The Reds suffered another setback during Saturday’s 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth, with Joe Gomez having been forced off during the first half after colliding with Alisson Becker in trying to prevent the hosts’ opening goal.
With Ibrahima Konate still away following the death of his father, Liverpool had to play the remainder of the game with Ryan Gravenberch filling in alongside Virgil van Dijk. The Reds’ options are severely depleted at the back at the moment, and now they can’t even call upon one possible option from the academy.
READ MORE: Liverpool terminates loan deal amid injury crisis as transfer plans emergeREAD MORE: Liverpool news as Arne Slot favorite to be next Premier League manager fired
According to The Athletic, Lucky is set to miss at least two months with a hamstring injury. The issue has caused him to miss Liverpool U21s’ last two games against Arsenal and Leeds.
The 20-year-old is a member of the club’s Under-21 squad, although he has been a regular feature with the senior squad as well this season.
Lucky has trained with the first-team on a number of occasions, and has been named on the bench in the Premier League five times, as well as for the Champions League trip to Inter Milan last month.
KIRKBY, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 08: Wellity Lucky of Liverpool looks on during a Liverpool Training Session at AXA Training Centre on December 08, 2025 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Wellity Lucky has trained with Liverpool's senior squad on a number of occasions this season(Image: Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
He made his senior debut in the 3-0 defeat to Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup back in October, in which he played just over 20 minutes after coming off the bench. Although he is not being considered as a starting option by the club, his absence will leave Arne Slot with one less option at a time when his defense is being stretched to its limits.
As well as Gomez’s recent knock, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are both out for the remainder of the season, meaning the Reds could face Qarabag on Wednesday with Van Dijk as the only recognized senior center-back available.
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Despite the problems at the back, it still looks unlikely that Liverpool will dip into the transfer market during the final week of the January window, with Slot having played down the chances of any major signings being made before the February 2 deadline.
Liverpool though does look set to keep left-back Andy Robertson, despite talks with Tottenham over a potential move. The club is not willing to sanction the Scotland international’s departure, partly due to complications around recalling Kostas Tsimikas from Roma.
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Liverpool.com says: Surely Liverpool has to make a move for a defender during the final week of the window? Lucky probably wouldn't have featured that much, if it all, but we saw a few years ago how having any center-back options is better than none at all, which the club is running the risk of.