Liverpool are currently without four of their senior defensive options, and now one of their talented youngsters has picked up an injury too
Wellity Lucky trains with Jeremie Frimpong and Trey Nyoni
Wellity Lucky trains with Jeremie Frimpong and Trey Nyoni(Image: )
View Image
Liverpool defender Wellity Lucky faces being sidelined for at least two months with a hamstring injury in a further blow to the defensive options available to Arne Slot.
The Spain-born England youth international, who turned 20 earlier this month, made his senior debut for the Reds in the 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace in October, and has been an unused substitute in the Premier League on five occasions.
Lucky, who has impressed for Liverpool in the UEFA Youth League this season, wouldn't have been likely to start for the Reds in any upcoming matches, but his loss, as first reported by The Athletic, comes at a time when Liverpool are missing four senior options in defence.
Joe Gomez was forced off in the 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth on Saturday after colliding with goalkeeper Alisson Becker when trying to prevent a goal from Evanilson, while Ibrahima Konate missed the match on the south coast following the death of his father. After also missing last week's Champions League win over Marseille it remains to be seen if he will return to the squad to face Qarabag on Wednesday.
Giovanni Leoni, the summer signing from Parma, suffered an ACL injury on his Reds debut in September and has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, while right-back Conor Bradley's campaign is also over after the knee injury he picked up in the goalless draw at Arsenal.
Wataru Endo replaced Gomez at Bournemouth and could be utilised in a centre-back role if needed, while Ryan Gravenberch has been used there on occasion by Arne Slot.
Left-back Andrew Robertson is now not expected to depart for Tottenham Hotspur this month despite initial talks over a move taking place, while Kostas Tsimikas remains on loan at Roma.
Marc Guehi, who saw a summer move to the Reds from Crystal Palace collapse at the 11th hour in the summer, has now joined Manchester City, but there are currently no other plans for Liverpool to recruit a defender in the January transfer window.
FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE! All the latest news and analysis from Anfield on the Liverpool Echo's dedicated LFC Facebook page