Arne Slot‘s confirmed lineup for Liverpool’s crucial Champions League finale against Qarabag reveals the full extent of his defensive crisis while also demonstrating tactical boldness in deploying Ryan Gravenberch as a makeshift center-back alongside Virgil van Dijk. The two changes from the Bournemouth defeat, bringing Hugo Ekitike and Andy Robertson into the starting eleven, represent straightforward adjustments compared to the unconventional defensive arrangement necessitated by injuries and absences that have stripped Liverpool of their natural center-back options.
The Gravenberch Experiment
The most significant aspect of Slot’s team selection is the decision to deploy Gravenberch at center-back, a choice that removes Liverpool’s most influential midfielder from his natural position to address defensive shortages. This represents a calculated gamble that Gravenberch’s athleticism, ball-playing ability, and football intelligence can translate to central defense against opposition of Qarabag’s caliber, while accepting that removing him from midfield diminishes Liverpool’s control in that crucial area.
Gravenberch’s physical attributes make him a logical candidate among available options for emergency center-back duty. His height provides aerial presence that smaller midfielders like Curtis Jones or Alexis Mac Allister cannot offer, while his pace and recovery speed could prove valuable when defending against counter-attacks. Additionally, his comfort receiving the ball under pressure and ability to progress play from deep positions align with the ball-playing requirements of modern center-back play, particularly in Slot’s possession-dominant system.
However, the tactical and technical demands of center-back play differ substantially from midfield responsibilities. Defensive positioning, anticipating attacking movements, organizing the defensive line, and managing one-on-one situations in the penalty area all require specialized skills that even talented footballers need time to develop. Gravenberch’s unfamiliarity with these specific demands creates inherent risk, particularly if Qarabag manage to create dangerous attacking situations.
The decision to use Gravenberch rather than Wataru Endo, who filled this role against Bournemouth, suggests Slot prioritized either tactical considerations specific to facing Qarabag or workload management concerns about asking Endo to play three matches in eight days after returning from lengthy injury absence. Endo’s inclusion among the substitutes provides insurance should the Gravenberch experiment struggle, allowing Slot to revert to the more defensively conservative option if circumstances demand.
Van Dijk’s Increased Responsibility
Virgil van Dijk’s role becomes even more crucial given his partner’s unfamiliarity with the position. The Dutch captain must not only fulfill his own defensive duties but also provide constant communication, positioning guidance, and organizational leadership to help Gravenberch navigate the challenges of operating at center-back. Van Dijk’s experience and defensive intelligence will be tested not just in his individual performance but in how effectively he can support and direct his makeshift partner.
The partnership’s success or failure will significantly influence whether Liverpool can maintain the defensive solidity required to secure victory. Van Dijk’s ability to cover for Gravenberch’s positional errors, to communicate effectively about threats and responsibilities, and to organize the defensive line without his usual reliable partner will demonstrate his leadership qualities under challenging circumstances.
Attacking Changes and Intent
Hugo Ekitike’s return to the starting lineup addresses the striking void that has complicated Liverpool’s attacking play during his absences. The young forward’s movement, finishing ability, and developing understanding with teammates provide a focal point that Liverpool have sometimes lacked when deploying more fluid attacking systems without a recognized striker. His inclusion signals Slot’s intention to pursue the victory required for automatic Round of 16 qualification rather than settling for the draw that would still guarantee play-off progression.
Andy Robertson’s restoration at left-back represents a straightforward change from Milos Kerkez, who drops to the bench. The Scottish captain’s experience and defensive reliability might prove valuable given the makeshift nature of the center-back partnership, providing additional leadership and organizational capability in the defensive unit. Robertson’s attacking threat from left-back also enhances Liverpool’s width and crossing quality, creating another dimension for their offensive play.
Midfield Reconfiguration
The deployment of Gravenberch at center-back necessitates midfield reconfiguration that sees Mac Allister and Dominik Szoboszlai operating as the primary midfield axis. This partnership must provide both defensive screening and creative impetus, responsibilities that Gravenberch typically shares when operating in his natural position. Mac Allister’s tactical intelligence and defensive awareness make him well-suited to the additional defensive responsibilities, though his workload will increase substantially without Gravenberch’s box-to-box contributions.
Szoboszlai’s role becomes even more important in progressing play from midfield into attacking areas, as Liverpool will miss Gravenberch’s ball-carrying ability and progressive passing from deeper positions. The Hungarian’s energy, pressing, and ability to arrive in attacking positions must compensate for the absence of Gravenberch’s usual midfield influence, while he also assumes greater responsibility for linking defense with attack during build-up play.
The Familiar Attacking Trident
Mohamed Salah, Florian Wirtz, and Cody Gakpo form Liverpool’s attacking support around Ekitike, creating a forward line that combines pace, technical quality, and creative intelligence. Salah’s threat from the right, cutting inside onto his stronger left foot, provides a familiar danger that opponents struggle to contain even when they know it’s coming. His 12 Premier League goals against Bournemouth might not be relevant for European competition, but his overall goal-scoring record this season demonstrates he remains Liverpool’s most reliable attacking weapon.
Wirtz’s creative quality and ability to unlock defenses through individual brilliance or combination play make him crucial when facing organized opposition. His understanding with teammates has developed throughout the season, creating partnerships and patterns that increasingly threaten opponents. Against Qarabag, his vision and technical ability should create numerous opportunities if Liverpool establish the territorial dominance their quality suggests they will achieve.
Gakpo’s versatility across the front line allows tactical flexibility as the match develops. He can operate centrally alongside Ekitike, drift to wider positions to create overloads, or drop deeper to link midfield with attack depending on how Qarabag set up defensively. His goal-scoring threat and creative contribution make him valuable regardless of specific positioning.
Jeremie Frimpong’s inclusion provides pace and directness down the right flank, stretching Qarabag’s defense horizontally and creating space for central attackers to exploit. His attacking output this season, including goals and assists, demonstrates he offers genuine goal-scoring threat alongside his creative contributions.
The Substitute Bench
The composition of Liverpool’s bench reveals both squad depth in certain positions and concerning limitations in others. The inclusion of three goalkeepers (Alisson starting, with Giorgi Mamardashvili and Caoimhin Kelleher as backup) reflects Liverpool’s goalkeeping strength while also highlighting how injuries have reduced outfield options.
Endo’s presence provides defensive midfield cover and the option to shift to center-back if the Gravenberch experiment fails. Milos Kerkez offers left-back coverage behind Robertson, while Federico Chiesa provides an attacking option should Liverpool need fresh impetus or additional creativity. The inclusion of young players like Trey Nyoni, Amara Nallo, James Morrison, and Rio Ngumoha demonstrates both Liverpool’s commitment to youth development and the reality that squad depth has been tested sufficiently to require academy involvement.
The absence of certain players from the squad entirely reflects ongoing injury problems. Joe Gomez’s confirmed unavailability removes defensive versatility, while the continued long-term absences of Conor Bradley, Alexander Isak, and Giovanni Leoni maintain the squad depth challenges that have characterized Liverpool’s season.
Tactical Approach and Expectations
Liverpool should dominate possession and territorial control regardless of Gravenberch’s unfamiliar positioning, creating sustained pressure on Qarabag’s defense. The challenge lies not in establishing control but in converting that dominance into the goals required for victory. Liverpool’s recent struggles against organized defensive opponents suggest that even against inferior opposition, breaking down stubborn resistance requires patience, quality, and clinical finishing.
The makeshift defensive arrangement creates some vulnerability should Qarabag create counter-attacking opportunities. While Liverpool should limit such situations through possession dominance, any defensive errors or turnovers could expose Gravenberch’s positional inexperience. Qarabag’s need for points to secure play-off qualification might encourage attacking ambition that creates the spaces Liverpool exploit most effectively, though prudent game management from their perspective would likely involve defensive solidity punctuated by occasional counter-attacks.
The Stakes
Victory would guarantee Liverpool’s place in the top eight and automatic progression to the Round of 16, avoiding the two-legged play-off round in February. This achievement would provide crucial rest for Liverpool’s stretched squad while also validating their Champions League campaign. Anything less than victory leaves their final position dependent on other results, potentially consigning them to play-off participation that would further test squad resources.
For Gravenberch, this represents an unusual challenge and opportunity. Success in an unfamiliar position would demonstrate versatility and football intelligence, potentially providing Slot with an emergency option for future defensive crises. However, struggles would highlight the risks of deploying players outside their natural positions even against theoretically inferior opposition. The outcome of this experiment will be watched with particular interest as Liverpool navigate their defensive shortage while pursuing European progression.
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The Liverpool FC Times Team
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