How Liverpool’s centre-back options compare against Arsenal and Man City as fans demand signings
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Just over two weeks out from the start of the Premier League season, and Liverpool are struggling to make up the numbers in central defence.The Reds only avoided a major issue in the heart of their back line last term by virtue of Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate staying fit for the full campaign, but the lack of any alternative meant that Konate’s dreadful form could not be countered by taking him out of the team.Following the Frenchman’s exit, Liverpool were expected to dip into the market for a new centre-half, but having signed Jeremy Jacquet in January, the Reds have since kept their powder dry. What has been your main takeaway from Liverpool’s pre-season under Andoni Iraola?
The injury-prone 29-year-old will not be ready for the start of the season.Neither will Giovanni Leoni, who is Liverpool’s only other natural option as things stand. That leaves the Reds incredibly short as they look ahead to their season opener against Newcastle, and when you consider what likely Premier League title contenders Man City and Arsenal have at their disposal, things look even more bleak at Anfield.Arsenal are completely stacked at centre-backArsenal’s biggest strength under Mikel Arteta has been their ability to stifle the opposition, with Andoni Iraola’s fellow Basque placing a big emphasis on signing versatile defenders who can play in the centre or wide of a back line.William Saliba and Gabriel are comfortably the first-choice duo, although Saliba is currently struggling with an injury which could see him miss some time.READ MORE: Andoni Iraola looks to have made his mind up on which Liverpool youngsters will join the first-teamNevertheless, even without the Frenchman, Arsenal are well-stocked.
Although there are potentially some issues filling a full defence if one or two more players pick up knocks, by and large it is fair to say that Arsenal are stacked in defence.Man City have plenty of options to manageThough the Gunners are now well-known as the team who pack their squad full of defenders, Man City have also been keen to make sure they have versatile options who can cover a number of roles.Josko Gvardiol is probably the best example of this, and though he has been linked with a move away, the Croatian will likely be a starter under Enzo Maresca.Photo by Carl Recine/Getty ImagesHe will be joined in the defence by either Marc Guehi or Ruben Dias, who are both high quality options.Abdukodir Khusanov, meanwhile, emerged as a genuinely capable choice during the second half of last season, and it is fair to say that a combination of any of these four players looks strong enough for City.Maresca can also call upon Juma Bah, who spent last season on loan with Nice. The 20-year-old looks like he could play cup games and the occasional Premier League match without too much trouble too.Then there is Vitor Reis, who started 35 of Girona’s 38 La Liga matches last season, and will be primed to kick on if he does not go out on another loan.So, while Liverpool really do have only four senior, natural options at centre-back when all fit, Arsenal have at least seven – and City six – many of whom are completely proven at Premier League level and ready to go again.