The Dutch specialist admitted that it is impossible to rule out external criticism due to the position in the table: “With a club like this, it’s impossible to silence the noise if you’re not in contention for the title. But in the last thirty years, they’ve only won it twice” – formulated.
Arne Slot according to the Liverpool FC his play in midfield is fine, but serious improvement is needed in front of both goals: “Between the two round of 16, we are a very good team, we often find ourselves in promising situations. But we should score more goals from them. On the other hand, we also get goals from few opportunities” he said.
However, the head coach remained optimistic about the rest of the season: “If we can improve in front of both goals, I think we can win the trophy. If we only improve in one, it will be very difficult.”
Defensive emergency against Qarabag
Table of Contents
- 1. Defensive emergency against Qarabag
- 2. Szoboszlai in defense?
- 3. How will Virgil van Dijk handle Liverpool’s defensive crisis against Qarabag?
- 4. Van Dijk Stands Alone: Liverpool’s Defensive Crisis Ahead of Qarabag Clash
- 5. The injury List: A Mounting Crisis
- 6. Van Dijk’s Workload and Potential Risks
- 7. Potential Solutions: Klopp’s Options
- 8. Ancient Precedents: Defensive crises at Anfield
- 9. Impact on Europa league Campaign
- 10. Benefits of a Solid Defensive Performance
Liverpool are preparing for the international match with serious defensive problems. Slot confirmed that he is practically only in the center back position Virgil van Dijk can be used: “I can say for sure that tomorrow we won’t have two classic centre-backs. A midfielder has to play there because Virgil is the only available option” he revealed.
The coach emphasized the reliability of the Dutch team captain: “It’s a huge credit to him. He’s constantly ready for another ninety minutes, which you can’t take for granted at his age.”
Joe Gomez still cannot be deployed, although according to Slot “within a relatively short time” you can come back. Ibrahima Konate he is also missing, personal reasons play a role for him: his father recently passed away. “We know what he’s going through, he’s having a tough time. I hope he can come back soon, but not tomorrow.” the coach said about him.
Szoboszlai in defense?
The possibility also arose – our colleague Balázs Gyenge asked the question – that Dominik Szoboszlai as at the beginning of the season, play as a right-back. Slot did not completely rule out the idea, but emphasized that he is primarily still counting on him in the midfield: “I always consider this possibility, but also that he plays in the midfield” he responded briefly.
| Gurban Gurbanov: Constant development is the point |
|
Gurban Gurbanov has been in charge of Qarabag since May 2008, which is amazing even if the club is not an integral part of Europe’s elite and expectations are nowhere near as high as at the top of the continent. Under the guidance of the manager, the team became the first Azeri team to enter the group stage of the Champions League in 2017, and in the current competition, at the expense of Ferencváros – the Hungarian champion was eliminated by Qarabag in the playoffs – they can once again appear in the first European club tournament. And when he got here, he didn’t disappoint, defeating such big teams in the regular season as Benfica (the Portuguese in Lisbon), or Frankfurt in the last round. At Gurbanov’s press conference, our newspaper asked the coach about the secret of this rare success. “I don’t think there’s any secret behind it – answered the manager. “The most important thing is constant development.” I have been in my position for more than fifteen years, I had the opportunity to gain experience as a player before, and I am convinced that if we can progress step by step, even if these steps are small, we will get ahead. It is also important that the name Qarabag is binding, everyone at this club works responsibly, strives and learns. With the grace of God, this is how we can achieve our goals.” |
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE
REGULAR SECTION, ROUND 8
January 28, 9 p.m.: Liverpool (Angola)–Garabagh (Azeri) – live on NSO!
| POSITION OF THE PRIMARY STAGE | M | Gy | D | V | L-K | Gk | P |
| 1. Arsenal | 7 | 7 | – | – | 20–2 | +18 | 21 |
| 2. Bayern Munich | 7 | 6 | – | 1 | 20–7 | +13 | 18 |
| 3. Real Madrid | 7 | 5 | – | 2 | 19–8 | +11 | 15 |
| 4. Liverpool | 7 | 5 | – | 2 | 14–8 | +6 | 15 |
| 5. Tottenham | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 15–7 | +8 | 14 |
| 6. Paris SG | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 20–10 | +10 | 13 |
| 7. Newcastle United | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 16–6 | +10 | 13 |
| 8. Chelsea | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 14–8 | +6 | 13 |
| 9. Barcelona | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 18–13 | +5 | 13 |
| 10. Sporting CP | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 14–9 | +5 | 13 |
| 11. Manchester City | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 13–9 | +4 | 13 |
| 12. Atlético Madrid | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 16–13 | +3 | 13 |
| 13. Atalanta | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 10–9 | +1 | 13 |
| 14. International | 7 | 4 | – | 3 | 13–7 | +6 | 12 |
| 15. Juventus | 7 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 14–10 | +4 | 12 |
| 16. Borussia Dortmund | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 19–15 | +4 | 11 |
| 17. Galatasaray | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 9–9 | 0 | 10 |
| 18. Garabagh | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 13–15 | –2 | 10 |
| 19. Marseille | 7 | 3 | – | 4 | 11–11 | 0 | 9 |
| 20. Bayer Leverkusen | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 10–14 | –4 | 9 |
| 21. Monaco | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 8–14 | –6 | 9 |
| 22. PSV Eindhoven | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 15–14 | +1 | 8 |
| 23. Athletic Bilbao | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7–11 | –4 | 8 |
| 24. Olympiakos Piraeus | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 8–13 | –5 | 8 |
| 25. Napoli | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 7–12 | –5 | 8 |
| 26. Copenhagen | 7 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 11–17 | –6 | 8 |
| 27. FC Bruges | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 12–17 | –5 | 7 |
| 28. Bodö/Glimpse | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 12–14 | –2 | 6 |
| 29. Benfica | 7 | 2 | – | 5 | 6–10 | –4 | 6 |
| 30. Paphos | 7 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 4–10 | –6 | 6 |
| 31. Royale Union Saint-Gilloise | 7 | 2 | – | 5 | 7–17 | –10 | 6 |
| 32. Ajax | 7 | 2 | – | 5 | 7–19 | –12 | 6 |
| 33. Eintracht Frankfurt | 7 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 10–19 | –9 | 4 |
| 34. Slavia Prague | 7 | – | 3 | 4 | 4–15 | –11 | 3 |
| 35. Villarreal | 7 | – | 1 | 6 | 5–15 | –10 | 1 |
| 36. Kajrat Almaty | 7 | – | 1 | 6 | 5–19 | –14 | 1 |
How will Virgil van Dijk handle Liverpool’s defensive crisis against Qarabag?
Van Dijk Stands Alone: Liverpool’s Defensive Crisis Ahead of Qarabag Clash
The looming Europa League tie against Qarabag presents Liverpool with a significant defensive headache. with injuries mounting and key players sidelined, Virgil van Dijk is currently the only fully fit, senior center-back available to Jürgen Klopp. This precarious situation throws Liverpool’s backline into sharp focus and raises serious questions about their ability to maintain defensive solidity against European opposition.
The injury List: A Mounting Crisis
Liverpool’s defensive woes aren’t a recent progress. A series of unfortunate injuries have decimated Klopp’s options at the back.
* Joe Gomez: Currently recovering from a muscle strain sustained during the recent premier League match against Chelsea. Expected recovery timeline is approximately 3-4 weeks.
* Ibrahima Konaté: Suffering from a knee injury picked up in training, ruling him out for an indefinite period. Reports suggest a potential ligament issue,though the full extent is still being assessed.
* Jarell Quansah: A minor hamstring issue sustained in the FA Cup replay against Fulham. While not considered serious, it’s enough to keep him out of the Qarabag game.
* Joel Matip: Long-term ACL injury sustained in December 2025, ruling him out for the remainder of the season.
This cascade of injuries leaves Van Dijk as the sole reliable option in a position demanding strength in depth, especially during a congested fixture schedule.
Van Dijk’s Workload and Potential Risks
Relying heavily on Van Dijk carries inherent risks. The Dutch international is a world-class defender, undoubtedly, but even the most robust players are susceptible to fatigue and injury. Playing him in every match, especially with the intensity of Liverpool’s schedule, considerably increases the chance of a breakdown.
Consider these factors:
- Increased Fatigue: Constant playing time reduces recovery periods, impacting performance and increasing injury risk.
- Tactical Predictability: Opponents can focus their attacks knowing Van Dijk is the primary defensive target.
- Lack of Rotation: Without adequate rotation, Van Dijk’s form could dip, impacting the entire team.
Potential Solutions: Klopp’s Options
Faced with this defensive shortage, Klopp has limited, but viable, options.
* Youth Academy Call-Ups: Liverpool could turn to their academy for solutions. Highly-rated prospect, Levi Colwill (not to be confused with the Chelsea player), is a potential candidate, though throwing a young player into a European tie is a significant gamble.
* Midfield Cover: Deploying a midfielder, such as Wataru Endo, to fill in at centre-back is a possibility. Though, this would disrupt the midfield balance and potentially leave Liverpool vulnerable in that area. This has been a tactic Klopp has used sparingly in the past, often as a late-game change.
* Formation Shift: A tactical adjustment, such as switching to a three-at-the-back system (even with limited options), could provide additional defensive cover. This would require a change in personnel and potentially disrupt Liverpool’s attacking flow.
* Stefan Bajcetic: while primarily a defensive midfielder, Bajcetic has shown versatility and could be considered as a makeshift option, though his recent injury history is a concern.
Ancient Precedents: Defensive crises at Anfield
Liverpool has faced similar defensive crises in the past. The 2020/21 season, when van Dijk suffered a long-term ACL injury, serves as a stark reminder of the impact a depleted backline can have. That season saw Liverpool struggle to qualify for the Champions League, highlighting the importance of defensive stability. Jordan Henderson and Fabinho were frequently deployed at centre-back during that period, demonstrating Klopp’s willingness to improvise. However, the current situation is arguably more challenging, with multiple centre-backs unavailable simultaneously.
Impact on Europa league Campaign
The defensive situation undoubtedly impacts Liverpool’s chances in the Europa League. Qarabag, while not among the tournament favourites, are a well-organized and capable side. Exploiting any defensive weaknesses will be a key part of their game plan. Liverpool will need to be at their absolute best defensively, and Van Dijk will need to deliver a commanding performance to keep Qarabag at bay. A clean sheet will be crucial, and minimizing individual errors will be paramount.
Benefits of a Solid Defensive Performance
Despite the challenges,a successful defensive showing against Qarabag could yield several benefits:
* Boost in Confidence: A clean sheet or a narrow victory would provide a much-needed confidence boost for the team.
* Reduced Pressure on attack: A solid defence allows the attackers to play with more freedom, knowing they have a reliable foundation behind them.
* Chance for Youth Development: If a young player is given a chance, it could be a valuable learning experience.
* Advantage in Second Leg: A positive result in the first leg would give Liverpool a significant advantage heading into the return fixture.
