LIVERPOOL manager Arne Slot has called up 19-year-old defender Amara Nallo for tonight’s crunch Champions League clash against Qarabag.
The Reds host the Azerbaijani champions at Anfield and will be looking to seal their place in the top eight of the league phase that leads straight into the Last 16.
However, Slot, 47, has been struck by a crisis at centre-back with Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni out with a hip and knee injury respectively, while Ibrahima Konate is dealing with family bereavement.
That leaves Virgil van Dijk as the only fit central defender for the important match against the Champions League’s biggest surprise package.
Therefore, the Dutch tactician had to go look in the B team and decided to recall Nallo.
The England youth international is not unfamiliar with the first team as he has made two appearances this season.
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However, both of the young centre-back’s games against PSV Eindhoven and Crystal Palace in the Champions League and Carabao Cup respectively ended with him getting sent off.
And both red cards occurred after the teenager came on as a substitute, which means he has only played a mere total of 16 minutes across all competitions.
Nevertheless, Nallo is unlikely to start for Liverpool as Slot admitted he is planning to field a makeshift partnership.
Midfielder Wataru Endo had to cover at Bournemouth on Saturday after Gomez was forced off.
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However, the Merseysiders’ manager could also turn to left-back Andy Robertson or midfielder Ryan Gravenberch.
Slot said on Tuesday: “It’s for sure that at centre-back tomorrow there will not be a centre-back.
“I can only play a midfielder over there because there are no centre-backs available – apart from Virgil, who is one of the players I credit a lot for being fit all the time.
“At his age, constantly being ready to play another 90 is something we should not take for granted.”
