The Liverpool head coach admitted he will be without Joe Gomez and Ibrahima Konate for Wednesday's Champions League match and will be forced into an unorthodox selection
18:05, 27 Jan 2026
Arne Slot said he will have to make an unorthodox selection at center-back against Qarabag
Arne Slot said he will have to make an unorthodox selection at center-back against Qarabag(Image: Getty Images)
Arne Slot has admitted he will have to make an unorthodox selection at center-back for Wednesday’s Champions League encounter against Qarabag.
Liverpool heads into the final game of the league phase knowing a win will secure passage to the last-16 of the competition, although a draw may suffice. While Liverpool is the heavy favorite against the Azberjiani champion, the chances of an unexpected slip-up have been increased due to Slot’s selection issues at center-back.
Giovanni Leoni’s season-ending injury in September has meant the Reds have been forced to operate with just three center-backs for almost the entire campaign, while Joe Gomez’s injury against Bournemouth has further depleted those numbers.
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Ibrahima Konate has missed the last two matches as he mourns the sad passing of his father, and will not be available against Qarabag again.
That leaves just Virgil van Dijk as a recognized option at the heart of defense, and Slot has acknowledged he will have to pair him alongside someone playing out of position.
"For sure, at center-back tomorrow, there will not be a center-back," said Slot in Tuesday’s press conference.
"I can only play a midfielder there because there is nobody available other than Virgil, whom I credit a lot for being available all of the time.
“At his age, to constantly be ready to play another 90, is not something we should take for granted.”
Wataru Endo came in to replace Gomez at Bournemouth
Wataru Endo came in to replace Gomez at Bournemouth(Image: 2025 James Gill - Danehouse)
Watru Endo is the most likely option to partner Van Dijk, although Andy Robertson has played there previously.
It was Endo who was introduced in place of Gomez in Saturday’s defeat, and he could be handed just his third start of the season against Qarabag.
“He has been out with an injury for quite a long time,” Slot said when asked about Endo.
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“He had to play against Bournemouth for quite a long time, and now tomorrow a game coming up, and in three days later another game.”
Slot added that he does expect Gomez and Konate to return soon, while Federico Chiesa is available once again after he sat out the last two games due to a knock.
The Italian was among the 16 outfield players who took part in Tuesday’s training session in Kirkby, a group that contained two teenagers.