With Jeremy Jacquet emerging as a potential injury doubt, Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola may have to get creative with the options at his disposal against Manchester City
Jeremy Jacquet of Liverpool celebrates during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD1 match between Liverpool FC and Atletico de Madrid
Liverpool will be sweating over the fitness of Jeremy Jacquet(Image: (Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images))
Liverpool is just days away from a return to action after an extended three-week international break that has spanned the end of September into the start of October.
It's the first of its kind, after FIFA decided to merge two international breaks into one, giving teams more of a run in the league without the stop-start nature that the breaks usually bring.
While it has given some time for reflection, it has also provided some problems for Andoni Iraola within his Liverpool squad on the injury front.
Both Cody Gakpo and Alexander Isak had to withdraw from their respective national team squads, picking up knocks during the break that now leave the Reds sweating over their fitness in the coming days.
Their absence could be felt dearly, considering the next challenge at Anfield is against current Premier League leaders Manchester City, which will prove to be a tough test.
Adding to those injury concerns late in the international break is an issue for Jeremy Jacquet, who was absent for France's win over Belgium on Monday.
Having impressed for Les Bleus in his first two starts for the senior team, his omission was a surprise, coming as a result of a slight hamstring strain that now makes him a doubt for the weekend's encounter with Man City.
That may well force Iraola to be creative with the options at his disposal. So, with that said, here's a look at three options the manager could call upon to replace Jacquet in the backline.
Ronald Araujo
Ronald Araujo of Liverpool during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur at Anfield
Ronald Araujo could make a permanent transfer switch to Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images))
After impressing in the early phases of the season, Ronald Araujo could be the natural replacement for Jacquet in the backline, having been signed as extra depth at center-back.
The Barcelona loanee could offer valuable cover in that role, but that would move him away from featuring at right-back, where he has started for the Reds so far.
Moving him may force another switch on the right flank, with Jeremie Frimpong likely to then take that role, unless Joe Gomez is drafted in, which could change the dynamics of the team and add a different profile to a setup that has largely produced results so far.
It remains to be seen whether that is a route that Iraola wants to take, or whether he would prefer to keep the current balance on the right by keeping Araujo at right-back, which may force the manager to draft in another option at center-back instead.
Joe Gomez
Joe Gomez during a Liverpool training session.
Joe Gomez during a Liverpool training session(Image: Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images)
Having missed the early stages of the season, Joe Gomez is fit and available for Liverpool once again, and could provide the cover that the team needs.
The 29-year-old has often been a steady, if not spectacular, option in the backline when he has been called upon, and he could feature at center-back if required.
Gomez has featured at center-back 127 times for Liverpool, while there may be an option to play him at right-back if needed, where he has played 103 times for the club.
Giovanni Leoni
Giovanni Leoni of Liverpool in action during the Carabao Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Southampton
Giovanni Leoni has been discussing his injury trouble at Liverpool(Image: (Photo by Ed Sykes/Sportsphoto/Allstar Via Getty Images))
It seems highly unlikely, but Liverpool star Giovanni Leoni could be thrown straight back into action if it is deemed that the young center-back is fit enough to feature.
The Italian international has been out for over a year with an Anterior Cruciate Ligament injury, and while a return to full training has been earmarked for over the three-week break, it may be a little soon to put him into such a high-profile encounter against Man City.
That said, it highlights the lack of depth that Liverpool has at center-back, before academy options like Luke Chambers or Mor Talla Ndiaye are considered.