It’s not hindsight at all. Like Semmy I was also concerned and wanted us to sign another CB (Leoni only ever looked a prospect for this season). More importantly, the club also wanted to sign another CB. The big issue now is that, of the 3 we have, JoGo has a history of injury and hasn’t played a full season for eons (hence why we wanted to replace him) while Ibou has generally missed ~10 games every season. (Whisper it) but Virg is also aging and we really look hugely underdone at CB. Given all the money we have spent this summer that is incredibly disappointing.
I think we could even look to sign 2 CB in January as Ibou may have signed a precontract elsewhere and we need to be opportunistic if possibilities are there.
I can understand the sentiment if Gomez or Konate had gone down. But it absolutely is hindsight for anybody to say this was coming when it’s our brand new young centre back doing his ACL on his debut. No-one expected that, and it’s desperately unlucky.
I don’t think the club were ever going to carry five centre backs, so the plan may have been to loan Leoni, or even Gomez, once Guehi was through the door.
We do need to get another one in now, because Gomez and Konate are probably going to down at some point (had one of those got injured, I might have thought differently).
I appreciate the point about being opportunistic, but I think there is a limit to how opportunistic we can be. “What? You want me to come and be your fifth choice for the rest of the season, rather than staying here and playing football? Can we just do it in the summer?”
Just because I read it yesterday and it’s somewhat encouraging - Giulia Gwinn, German international player, has had two ACL from which she recovered succesfully, then another bad knee injury at the Euros - was back on the pitch for Bayern yesterday. (Apparently ACLs happen more often to women, didn’t know that)
Thing is modern technology and science will help aid players in recovery so we really don’t know it’s a shit injury as it’s the longest term. It will also depend on the grade though a tear seems high mind. Then again my PCL was level 2 and that had disconnect.
With the kid still growing into his frame… 9months out on rehab and recovery might aid the complete ‘Little Lion’ package eventually…
Tough luck to get injured in such a way on his debut though
Do we know if the astroturf perimeter was a factor?
At the least, it looks slick and players lose their footing from time to time. When Leoni banged his head it bounced right back up, which tells me that surface is also pretty hard.
On those two things alone, it needs some attention.
I wasn’t sure if a seam was also an issue for Leoni, and a stud caught and his ACL popped? Not sure about that part as I couldn’t quite tell, but apart from being gutted for the lad and that side of things, I’m not sure I like the current setup with the perimeter we have around the pitch.
I was looking forward to getting to know him and what’s his level, style and potential like, since I never heard of him before.
Hopefully we don’t have more bad news at CB, because it’s potentially a dangerous area for us this season. At least until January (not that I’m sure we’ll act or that it’s easy).
We’ll see what are our most frequent alternative options when we need them.
I feel Slot had the most trust in Gravenberch dropping back, but he’s becoming increasingly important in midfield. Idon’t think Robbo will be high on the list, since that would require moving Virgil to RCB, which I don’t see happening. I personally don’t have enough confidence in Endo. Bradley could be an outside option for RCB, especially if we’re on the attack.
Bajcetic might get a chance, if he is fit and firing by the time the Carabao comes around again. He has added muscle, and he was very good in his last loan. The hamstring injury came at the worst time.
He is versatile enough to go between central defence and defensive midfield, so I could see him being looked at as a central defender in the Carabao, and possibly as a back up to Gravenberch in DM as the season progresses. There’s a chance possibly opening up for him to edge ahead of Endo in the pecking order there, with a few minutes here and there to give Grav a breather.
I think the point is whether it’s Leoni, Gomez or Konate that’s gone down injured there was understandable concern at durability and experience level in our CB unit.
If that was Gomez who’d done an ACL then you’re looking at an 18 year old with half a season under his belt being our one option to give Konate or VvD a breather. Not a place we’d want to find ourselves with a huge drop off to the next lad in the academy.
As it is we’ve now got three options, all of whom are more senior players, but two of which we know are prone to pick up knocks and niggles. That’s the risk quite a few were keen to see us mitigate in the summer.
As for Guehi, given where it got to in the window had the deal gone through there’s very little chance there was time for a deal for Gomez or Leoni to go anywhere. Doubt that would have stopped us pushing ahead with Guehi so it’s reasonable to say there was a degree of comfort in carrying five, until January at least. Given the propensity for Gomez and Konate to pick up knocks that did seem like the safer option. Not to mention getting ahead of a possible Konate departure in the summer. The Leoni injury just increases the risk people were keen to mitigate in the summer.
Am not able to respond to those who addressed my previous posts. However, I must say that I stand by my statement.
At 22, it would have been perfectly fine for Quansah to pickup 8-10 starts a season plus some substitutions for our starters on games which are wrapped up early. He has lots to learn and who better than from the best CB in the world.
I still remember the Phillips/Williams partnership which saved us a CL spot in 2021. Kabak was brought in as a stop-gap loan and subsequently injured. We got through by the skin of our teeth, but it was a painful season climbing up from 8th after an early knockout from CL
We are off to a flying start, but am injury to either Ibou or Virg and we will struggle to stay top of the pile. Actually signing Guehi would have topped a good window but he’s not here and I suspect Palace will not let him go in January.
I half wonder if the reason we allowed Quansah to leave was to find out if he was going to reach the very top?
In other words, he was more than good enough to be a back up option at Liverpool, but without the volume of games, he might not totally fulfil his potential.
Hence the sale, and the control over his future with the buy back option.
Then another was sought, Leoni who is 4-5 years younger, to start the journey with us.
Gutted for the lad. He at least got to show Liverpool fans his talent, ability and something to look forward to upon his return. He read the game like a boss for such a young man the way he was sweeping and clearing things up and being in the right place at the right time defensively. Using his giant frame to his advantage too, showing maturity beyond his years. With the support network he has around him he will only come back stronger. It’s a huge shame though, watching him play I thought this kid is a genuine quality 3rd option CB if one of our 2 starters are out.