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Liverpool will face Qarabag without Joe Gomez, sidelined with a hip injury from the Bournemouth defeat, and Ibrahima Konate, who is on compassionate leave following his father’s death.
This leaves Virgil van Dijk as the only recognised centre-back, with either Ryan Gravenberch or Wataru Endo expected to fill in, highlighting the need for reinforcements in the summer.
The Premier League champions missed out on Marc Guehi, whose proposed £35m move from Crystal Palace was called off last summer. Guehi, who joined Manchester City earlier this month, revealed he had to remain silent about the collapse out of respect for Palace.
Liverpool had hoped to sign him later this year as a free agent, but City’s reported £300,000-per-week wages and signing-on fee made the deal financially unfeasible. “It was very close,” Guehi said.
“Very close. The medical was pretty much done and then it got pulled at the last minute. My mindset is what will be, will be. It would be doing Palace a disservice if I was acting a certain way because the club’s given me everything.
“The least I can do is show up to work every single day, shut my mouth and keep my head down. I think that’s the most important thing.” Liverpool signed young centre-back Giovanni Leoni from Parma in the summer, but he is sidelined with an ACL injury.
The Reds have been linked with several defenders, including Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck and Rennes’ Jeremy Jacquet. Jacquet, who has played 54 senior games in France, excels in aerial duels, can carry the ball from the back, and has experience as a central defender in a back three.
He has missed only two league games this season due to suspension, with a shoulder injury in September 2024 marking his longest absence. Rennes reportedly value him around £56m, and his contract runs until June 2029.
According to The Times’ Paul Joyce, Jacquet is under consideration by Liverpool for a summer move, with Rennes determined to keep him amid Chelsea’s winter interest.
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