With Jeremie Frimpong set to be sidelined until December with a hamstring injury, Liverpool are suddenly at risk of looking a little short of options in defence once again. The Reds have already lost Giovanni Leoni to a season-ending ACL injury, leaving Joe Gomez as the only senior deputy to Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate.

The England international could also deputise at full-back on either flank if required, though Arne Slot has looked to resist using him in such a position during the majority of his Anfield reign. Ahead of Saturday’s clash with Aston Villa, the Dutchman was asked whether he had considered fielding Gomez at right-back in a bid to solve his side’s ongoing defensive frailties.

And while Slot conceded he was open to adapting his tactics when required, he insisted he was yet to see any reason to change his current approach. "It does go against my beliefs,” he said.

“But I have won games in the past - we can talk about (Manchester) City away last...