Joe woe means new defender must be top of Liverpool's list

By the Editorial Team · Monday, July 27, 2026

Liverpool are entering the Premier League season with a severe shortage of experienced defenders, compounded by injuries to key players like Joe Gomez and the absence of senior centre-back Virgil van Dijk from preseason training. This defensive crisis, alongside limited attacking options and delayed arrivals of World Cup players, makes urgent player recruitment crucial to maintaining their competitive standing under new manager Andoni Iraola.

Liverpool face a growing defensive challenge as they prepare for the start of the Premier League season under new manager Andoni Iraola. With less than four weeks until their opening match against Newcastle, the Reds enter the campaign with a significant shortage of experienced defenders.

Currently, Virgil van Dijk stands as the only senior centre-back available, although he has yet to begin preseason training following an extended break after representing the Netherlands at the World Cup. Joe Gomez, a versatile and long-serving defender heavily regarded within the squad, suffered another injury during Liverpool’s preseason opener against Sunderland in Nashville, compounding concerns over his fitness. This latest setback marks Gomez’s ninth distinct injury absence since the start of the 2023-24 season. The severity of the current injury is still unknown, but it adds to the uncertainty surrounding his availability.

Liverpool also lack midfielders with Premier League experience ready to fill defensive roles. Two young defenders considered among the most promising talents—Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni—are currently sidelined. Jacquet, 21, joined Liverpool from Rennes in January for a reported £55 million but has not played since early February due to a shoulder problem. He is currently undergoing a carefully managed training regime and is expected to miss further preseason matches, with a tentative debut anticipated in the upcoming friendly against Leeds in Chicago. Leoni, 19, who signed from Parma last summer, remains out after suffering a cruciate ligament injury on his debut in September.

With senior defensive options limited, younger players, including Senegal’s Mor Talla Ndiaye and Austrian Ifeanyi Ndukwe, both 18, have been called upon to fill central defensive positions during the preseason. However, their inexperience presents a challenge given the immediate demands of the Premier League.

Van Dijk, 35, is entering the final year of his contract, while Gomez, 29, faces ongoing fitness concerns. The defensive gaps leave Liverpool in urgent need of reinforcements. Alongside defense, the club is also looking to strengthen attacking options after Mohamed Salah’s departure. The forward line remains thin, with new signings struggling to make an impact—Hugo Ekitike is sidelined long-term after rupturing his Achilles tendon, and Alexander Isak missed much of last season due to various issues.

Liverpool’s preparations have been further disrupted by the staggered arrival of World Cup participants Florian Wirtz, Isak, and Ryan Gravenberch, who joined the squad later in preseason. As Iraola seeks to restore Liverpool’s competitive edge, recruitment of at least two or three new players is viewed as essential. Recent reports linking a consortium including Amazon founder Jeff Bezos to a £1.35 billion stake in the club add to speculation about potential financial backing for summer acquisitions.

Without swift action in the transfer market, Liverpool’s defensive and attacking frailties could hinder their ambitions in the upcoming campaign.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.