Crystal Palace defenders clear a cross into the penalty box during the Premier League match against Liverpool at Selhurst Park
Crystal Palace’s US defender #26 Chris Richards (C) heads the ball during the English Premier League football match between Crystal Palace and Liverpool at Selhurst Park in south London on November 8, 2026. (Photo by Henry Nicholls / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Liverpool could do without any further issues in their back line until the New Year as they wait on Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni to return.
The Reds have not been especially good defensively this term, particularly in the Champions League, where they continue to ship goals at a fairly alarming rate.
In the Premier League, with Ronald Araujo regularly filling in at right-back, they have been better. But there was a worry over the Uruguayan during the first half of Sunday’s match against Crystal Palace, with the 27-year-old spotted with strapping on his hamstring.
Alisson and Virgil van Dijk have made costly mistakes in recent weeks. What should Liverpool do with the pair now that their contracts are set to run out in the summer?
Keep Allison but get rid of Van Dijk?Let both go
@noelloftman Comparing Diaz at 28 to Van Dijk at 35 is ridiculous for sure. Completely different scenarios. Diaz won't be anywhere near any top team's starting XI at 35
@auntylizard1 Vozinha? Come on Aunty! He's 40 and not good enough for League One
@kujabisamateh Yeah that's fair. I still think Van Dijk is good enough to be honest, but it might be time for a change as well. At least in Jacquet it looks like we have a player who can take on the mantle of being the main man in defence. I don't think Konate/Matip/Gomez ever looked capable of that
Ronald Araujo worry for Liverpool
Araujo missed a Liverpool game for the first time on Wednesday, when he remained on the bench throughout the 3-2 defeat against Fenerbahce.
The Barcelona loanee was probably due a rest, but his absence may also have been a decision to protect him from injury, with journalist Lewis Steele spotting Araujo grimacing in pain and with strapping on his hamstring during the early stages of the clash with Crystal Palace.
Ronald Araujo seems to have strapping on his right hamstring, which he was holding and grimacing after that challenge there. One to keep tabs on
— Lewis Steele (@LewisSteele_) November 8, 2026
Araujo was booked for the slightly late tackle which appeared to have given him a problem, but continued on to complete the first half for Liverpool.
Jeremie Frimpong is being given extra time to recover from his own hamstring problem, meaning that without Bradley as well, Liverpool would have to turn to Dominik Szoboszlai to cover if Araujo’s issue begins to bother him.