David Lynch voices concern over Liverpool's centre-back depth

Yahoo

4 days ago

Liverpool's Centre-Back Concerns: David Lynch Raises a Red Flag
Alarming Depth Issues in Defence
Liverpool's centre-back situation has taken a worrying turn, as highlighted by respected journalist David Lynch speaking to Sports Mole. With Jarell Quansah sold to Bayer Leverkusen and Joe Gomez injured mid-preseason, head coach Arne Slot is left with just two senior central defenders: Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté.
Lynch didn't hold back when sharing his thoughts, stating:
'I've spoken to people at Liverpool, and they have recently talked up the ability of Endo to play there occasionally, and Gravenberch too. That makes me slightly concerned, I have to say.'
During the 4-2 defeat to AC Milan, both Ryan Gravenberch and Kostas Tsimikas were used as makeshift centre-backs—an experiment that did little to stem the tide of defensive instability. The performance laid bare a vulnerability that Slot cannot afford to carry into a competitive season.
Learning from Past Mistakes
The 2020/21 campaign looms large in the memory for all Reds fans. After injuries to Van Dijk, Gomez, and Joel Matip, Liverpool were forced into a series of improvisations. Fabinho and Jordan Henderson operated in defence, and while Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams earned praise for their eventual contributions, the damage had been done by then.
Lynch pointed out:
'It is certainly an option, but I would hope not.'Clearly, Liverpool cannot rely on midfielders doubling up as defenders if they intend to mount a serious title challenge.
Potential Move for Marc Guehi
There are rumblings that Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi could be on the radar. While nothing concrete has emerged, this aligns with Liverpool's past behaviour—identifying value in proven Premier League talent and moving swiftly late in the window if required.
However, the fact that the club appears to be entertaining the idea of Wataru Endo or Gravenberch filling in at centre-back on a semi-regular basis raises eyebrows. Endo, at 31, is far more effective shielding the back four than being part of it. Gravenberch, meanwhile, was instrumental as a midfielder, we don't want to be moving key players around.
Transfer Window Demands Action
With the window's final month approaching, Liverpool must act decisively. Whether that means pushing for Guehi or exploring another target, it's essential to avoid being caught short, especially in a season that promises to be fiercely competitive.
David Lynch's warning is measured but valid—Slot mustn't repeat the mistakes of 2020/21. The tools are there, but only if Liverpool equip themselves properly.
Our View – Anfield Index Analysis
From a Liverpool fan's perspective, this report sets off a few alarm bells—not because of panic, but because we've seen this story before.
The sale of Jarell Quansah might make sense financially, but losing a young, homegrown talent who showed maturity last season leaves a gap. With Joe Gomez injured again, Van Dijk and Konaté are the only two dependable options. Given Konaté's injury record and Van Dijk's advancing age, fans are rightly uneasy.
Deploying Gravenberch and Endo at centre-back is not a sustainable solution. Gravenberch is a dynamic ball-carrier best used in midfield positions, and Endo, while disciplined, lacks the pace and physical dominance needed for central defence in the Premier League. If either starts at centre-back against the likes of Erling Haaland, we're in trouble.
Supporters remember how the club sleepwalked into crisis in 2020/21, and though the recruitment team has learned since then, the current gap feels like déjà vu. The hope is that Guehi or a similar profile arrives soon—young, physical, Premier League-proven. It's not just about numbers; it's about profile, readiness, and resilience.