Arne Slot Explores ‘Surprise’ Option To Replace Giovanni Leoni At Liverpool.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot is weighing up a number of unexpected solutions as he looks to cope with Giovanni Leoni’s injury setback. The young defender has been ruled out for several months with what has been described as a “devastating” blow, leaving the Reds short of reliable cover at centre-back during a crucial stage of the season.

With Leoni sidelined, Liverpool’s defensive depth has been stretched thin. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate remain the first-choice pairing, but behind them the options are limited. Joe Gomez is the only other senior centre-back available, yet his own injury history makes Slot wary of relying on him for an extended period.
The shortage has sparked talk of an emergency solution.

Liverpool were close to landing Marc Guehi before the summer deadline, and his name remains high on their radar. However, until January arrives, Slot must work with what he has, and that has opened the door to an unusual candidate: Wataru Endo.
The Japan international, signed to bolster Liverpool’s midfield, is now being considered as a possible stand-in at centre-back. Endo has experience dropping into deeper roles throughout his career, and Slot may lean on that versatility if further issues arise. Ryan Gravenberch was briefly used at the back when Konate limped off against Crystal Palace, but Endo is thought to be the more trusted option for a short-term fix.

“It does leave Liverpool short of centre-back options, there’s no getting away from that,” one source explained. “Right now, they’re down to Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez and probably Endo as cover – which is surprising, given he’s spent almost his entire career in midfield.” The concern is especially strong with Liverpool expected to fight for silverware on multiple fronts this season.

That situation has revived talk of a January move for Guehi. Football Insider has reported that Liverpool could accelerate their efforts after initially planning to revisit the Crystal Palace man at the end of the season. But competition for the England defender is fierce, with Real Madrid, Chelsea, Barcelona, and Bayern Munich all circling ahead of his expected availability.

Slot now finds himself under pressure to ensure Liverpool do not miss out twice. Failing to sign Guehi in the summer was a setback, but losing out again would be a bigger blow, especially after Leoni’s injury. For now, Endo may have to shoulder the unexpected burden, but the coming months will likely define how Liverpool’s defensive stability shapes up for the rest of the campaign.