Yes we worry about the defence at the moment but it’s just as important to enjoy the ride.
I have a Liverpool supporter mate who is constantly worried about the next match, the next transfer, the next injured player. 90% of his group chat messages are about worrying. Bro is not getting to enjoy this golden period.
I’m not really worried about the preseason thing as we have Virg and Konate, who will be the starters at the beginning of the season anyways.
I don’t know. Maybe the fact that our best central defender is 34, and the other two aren’t exactly beacons of fitness?
Are we really examining whether or not we should start a 60+ game season with 3 dedicated CBs?
Literally no one is suggesting that.
Also, that 34 year old was still the best CB in the league last year and we were all desperate he get a new contract. Now all of a sudden that’s a worry?
The chips might not always fall in our favour, but one thing our club knows is the odds…
We probably have a plan for a CB late in the window. Perhaps the right one is not attainable at the right price yet… but either way I’m sure the scenarios are accounted for.
And we are not in as dire a situation as you present. For example, Endo is not a dedicated CB… but he has played more games at CB (242 games) than he has as a DM (204 games).
And we still have Bajcetic btw… who was also a CB as he came through our system.
So yes, the situation can be improved. We probably will improve it as well, but I don’t think we need or should panic buy.
Comparisons to the crisis of 2020-21 are pretty obvious, but at least in this case the CMs being asked to fill in at CB are not also weakening our midfield, one that was already creaking with the loss of Thiago. It’s not ideal, and I doubt we’ll be relying on this to make up our core of 4, but if we do end up having to turn to Wata for a game or run of them it is unlikely to have the number of knock on effects that it had that year
When should we start to be worried? Fair question.
The answer for me is September 1 after the window closes.
I’m not worried yet. I’m pretty sure the club will bring a central defender in. If we don’t, it would seem pretty careless. Given the expertise we now have at all levels, I don’t for one second think we will be careless.
Even if we had bought a CB in 2020-21, with the way that season went they would have gotten injured as well!!!
Few names I like.
Jeremy Jacquet (Rennes, born 2006–07 – age 19)
• Only 11 Ligue 1 appearances in the 2024–25 season, plus loan minutes in Ligue 2 (17 games). That’s under 30 senior appearances in solid competition .
• But crucially: recorded the highest progressive action rate per match among all U‑21 defenders across Europe’s top-seven leagues—statistically ahead of big names like Dean Huijsen and Khusanov .
• Highly rated for tactical IQ, ball movement, aerial presence, composure under pressure. Trains at Rennes academy (same mould as Saliba), known for technical development.
Edit: I see Arsenal are interested in him since August 3rd…
Jon Martín (Real Sociedad, born April 2006 – age 19)
• Just 14 senior appearances for Real Sociedad B and 13 in La Liga / Europa League with the first team in the 2024–25 season .
• Named in UEFA Under‑19 Championship Team of the Tournament in 2025 and long‑listed in The Guardian’s Next Generation 2023 .
• La Liga club context means strong technical/positional training—even with limited minutes, his trajectory looks very steep.
Pietro Comuzzo – Fiorentina (Italy, 2005, age 20)
• League: Serie A
• Senior appearances: 33 in 2024‑25 season after only 4 in debut year
• Traits: 1.85 m, versatile, leadership background, mixes aerial strength with technical composure. Called to Italy senior squad in Nov 2024
• Upside: Late bloomer in Italy’s top flight, strong physical/positional maker.
It’s a worry because he has no backup. At least, not a makeshift one.
Nah! Not until problems become apparent. When or if that happens who knows?
The problem I see is the expectations due to last season as well as impatience and looking for problems.
I’m more likely to see problems with the midfield, that’s just me. Others want to find problems with our defence even before the season starts. So there’s going to be immediate criticism.
Just brace yourself for it.
I was worried last year too when Gomez went down.and Quansah wasn’t trusted by Slot.
I would be happy with a couple of CB coming in. One as first team , second one as somewhat of an understudy
With the amount of games these players are playing , always makes sense to have one more person
I’d be concerned if we don’t sign someone by September deadline day but not too bothered up to then. It’s great to have them up to speed but Hugo already seems on it and it’s only been weeks for him.
Maybe, but maybe not. One or two injuries led to other players being overplayed, and injuring themselves too. That in turn led to the whole backline being out for months, apart from Phillips and Rhys Williams, two youngsters at the time, especially Williams. There is a reason why top clubs go into a new season with four center backs.
By the way, isn’t it stunning that neither Phillips nor Williams have never managed to carve out a good career for themselves? They were never top talents, but absolutely saved our collective necks that season, really magnificent. But apparently, they couldn’t build up from there.
I’d say that Nat did carve out a good career for himself, he was bloody under contract at Liverpool almost until his 30’s. Never really belonged to this level long term, with all the credit them two deserved for their part near the end of 20/21.
Regarding Phillips and Williams they performed as the players around them were top quality and they raised their games accordingly, was really proud of both of them.
Plus Jurgen did tend to get the best out of all his players
He was days away from moving to the US to play in the collegiate system here. That was thought to be his level when he was 18. Most of us who made that move after the doors to the senior ranks were slammed shut on us at the end of our youth period would have viewed what Nat made of himself as a dream come true. It’s an amazing story.
Well, it’s definitely helping ease my constipation, that’s for sure.
I’m nervous. Very nervous. We only need an injury to either Virgil or Konate and we’re fucked. With how competitive the league is, either one only need to miss a few games and we could easily be dropping points we wouldn’t otherwise.
I still have PTSD from that fucker T-Rex assaulting VVD out of a whole season.
Also, time hasn’t stood still. VVD is one year older at the fag end of his career. We should not expect the same level of imperviousness to injury or fatigue he has displayed in his career
I’ll be nervous if the window shuts without a signing.
Until Hughes does his best Purslow impression I’ll wait.