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Liverpool struggles with injuries as midfielder fills in at centre-back

Jan 27, 2026, 5:41 PM20
(Update: Jan 28, 2026, 11:00 PM)
Dutch footballer
city in Merseyside, England, United Kingdom

Liverpool struggles with injuries as midfielder fills in at centre-back

  • Liverpool's manager Arne Slot is facing a defensive crisis due to injuries to key players.
  • Midfielder Wataru Endo was positioned at centre-back as a result of this injury crisis.
  • Despite challenges, Liverpool achieved a 6-0 victory against Qarabag in the Champions League.
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In England, Liverpool faced significant injury challenges during their Champions League match against Qarabag, which prompted a strategic reshuffle by manager Arne Slot. With Joe Gomez added to the injury list due to a hip injury sustained during a game against Bournemouth, Slot was left with very few options for central defenders. This issue was compounded by the season-ending injury to Giovanni Leoni and Ibrahima Konate's compassionate leave following the death of his father. Consequently, Slot opted to field midfielder Wataru Endo alongside veteran defender Virgil van Dijk in central defense, marking a departure from traditional defensive formations. Despite these setbacks, Liverpool displayed exceptional performance in the match, achieving a decisive 6-0 victory against Qarabag, which allowed them to secure a spot in the last 16 of the Champions League. The team was eager to put their domestic challenges behind, having won only five of their last 18 Premier League games. The Champions League, however, has been a more fruitful endeavor for them, showcasing their ability to thrive under pressure and delivering a convincing group-stage victory against their Azerbaijani opponents. Key players such as Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike were instrumental in this large win, with contributions from Dominik Szoboszlai and Mohamed Salah. The match featured a number of significant moments, including Salah scoring a goal that reignited his form, emphasizing the pivotal role of senior players alongside the younger talents. Liverpool's attacking prowess was evident as they scored four goals in the second half, further boosting team morale as their Premier League woes seemed a distant memory. Nonetheless, the manager cautioned that they could face difficulties in future matches, particularly against Newcastle, as injury problems persisted. The pre-match press conference revealed Slot's hopes of seeing his sidelined players, particularly Konate and Gomez, return soon. Slot expressed confidence that despite the immediate crisis, he believed Gomez's injury would not be long-term, noting the need for depth in the team and the ongoing discussions around potential transfers. Liverpool made an attempt to retain vice-captain Andy Robertson in the face of interest from Tottenham, ultimately confirming his role in the squad amidst the swirling transfer rumors. With injuries continuing to impact the squad, Liverpool’s ability to adapt in challenging situations, both in terms of strategy and player versatility, will be critical as they pursue success in both domestic and European competitions.

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