With Jeremie Frimpong sidelined until December due to a hamstring problem, Liverpool are once again confronting potential defensive worries. The Reds have already witnessed Giovanni Leoni suffer a season-ending ACL setback, leaving Joe Gomez as the only central defensive backup.

The England international can step in at full-back on either flank when required, though Arne Slot has typically steered clear of using him in that position during most of his Anfield tenure. Prior to Saturday's clash with Aston Villa, the Dutch manager was asked whether he'd considered deploying Gomez at right-back to tackle his side's ongoing defensive frailties.

While Slot admitted he was prepared to adjust his approach when circumstances demanded it, he insisted he hadn't yet identified any reason to change his current set up.

Yeremy Pino of Crystal Palace and Calvin Ramsay of Liverpool F.C. battle for the ball during the Carabao Cup(Image: 2025 Sebastian Frej)

He said: "I have won games in the past -...