Liverpool has only a few hours to find answers after Jurgen Klopp acknowledged the team has to be “lucky with injuries” in their defense.
The midfield has had a £111 million makeover with the additions of Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Wataru Endo, with the possibility that Ryan Gravenberch would arrive before the deadline.
Although there is ongoing discussion about whether the Dutchman should be the aim rather than a defensive midfielder like Cheick Doucoure, another urgent matter is actually at hand.
But in only a few days, the Reds are now without their two starting center backs, at least for Sunday’s match against Aston Villa.
Klopp’s first-choice defense comes down to Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson, with an asterisk looming over each of the other four.
During his pre-Newcastle press conference, Klopp acknowledged that it’s not a perfect world where you can be ready for every eventuality.
“We’ve had to learn that a few times before, too.”
Sadly, such words resonate with Liverpool supporters who have witnessed the squad become overstretched as a result of a dearth of hiring in recent years as deadline day draws closer.
If no other defenders are brought in, Klopp will be left to rely on luck, which history has shown to be unreliable when it comes to the health of Konate, Gomez, and Matip.
