Liverpool once attracted attention when they recruited two young center-backs Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ifeanyi Ndukwe after an impressive performance at the U17 World Cup in Qatar at the end of last year. In just a few weeks, the Anfield team spent about 3.5 million pounds to bring both under the direction of Global Score Director Matt Newberry.
That is proof of Liverpool's long-term investment strategy. However, few people expected that these two teenage players would soon be given the opportunity to start in most of the summer 2026 friendly matches.
The reason comes from the force crisis in the defense. Joe Gomez was injured after only 8 minutes in the match against Sunderland, while Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni have not reached their best physical condition to play.
Even before Gomez had problems, coach Andoni Iraola also admitted that Liverpool's defense is very thin. The English center-back continues to be absent from training in Chicago and the club is expected to soon announce the injury test results.
Joining Liverpool from Charlton in 2015, Gomez missed up to 225 matches due to injury according to Transfermarkt statistics. Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk is the only experienced center-back still fit, but the Dutch captain has turned 35 and only has one year left on his contract.
Liverpool agreed to let Ibrahima Konate join Real Madrid on a free transfer because they believe Jacquet and Leoni are two of the most promising young center-backs in Europe. Although highly rated, both still need more time to improve and cannot immediately take on the team's defense.
Former striker Robbie Fowler believes that Liverpool still needs to add an experienced center-back.
We need more players. That's too obvious. Joe Gomez unfortunately suffered many injuries and this should have been an opportunity for him to affirm his position. Jacquet and Leoni both have potential, but experience is still very necessary" - Fowler shared.
Last summer, The Kop pursued Marc Guehi but could not complete the deal. Currently, the team also has no plans to activate the buy-back clause for Jarell Quansah after selling this center-back to Bayer Leverkusen.
Internal sources said that if Liverpool decides to spend more than 100 million pounds to recruit Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain, the budget for other deals will be significantly affected. Meanwhile, investing in Jacquet and Victor Munoz has cost nearly 95 million pounds.
Unlike last summer, when Liverpool spent up to 450 million pounds to upgrade the squad, they will be more cautious in this year's transfer market if there are no significant player sales deals.
According to Fowler, the important thing is not only the quality of the starting lineup but also the depth of the force to create competition: "You need players who are strong enough to compete for positions. When you know there is always someone ready to replace you, every player will have to maintain the highest form and standards.
In less than a year, Liverpool has recruited five center-backs aged 20 and under including Leoni, Jacquet, Ndiaye, Ndukwe and Noah Adekoya. This shows that the Anfield team has prepared carefully for the future.
However, Liverpool's immediate problem is not in potential, but in experience. As the new season approaches, adding a world-class and seasoned center-back is likely to become Iraola's top priority.
