Liverpool register new name in Champions League squad following fresh injury setback

 

 

Liverpool are dealing with several injury concerns ahead of their Champions League meeting with Qarabag and have been forced to make a late squad adjustment before the final league-phase fixture at Anfield.

The Reds go into the match knowing that a win over the Azerbaijani champions would guarantee a top-eight finish and automatic qualification for the last 16. With Arne Slot’s options already stretched thin, avoiding the knockout play-off round is a priority, as it would add two extra games to an already packed schedule.

Slot is expected to be without up to six defenders for the clash. Ibrahima Konate remains on compassionate leave following the death of his father, while Joe Gomez picked up a hip injury in last weekend’s 3-2 loss to Bournemouth. Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are both ruled out for the remainder of the season due to knee problems, and Calvin Ramsay is unavailable in Europe after being left out of Liverpool’s List A Champions League squad.

Ahead of last month’s 1-0 win over Inter Milan at the San Siro, Liverpool had registered Wellity Lucky on List B, in line with UEFA rules that allow eligible young players to be added. However, the centre-back will miss the Qarabag game after suffering a hamstring injury that is expected to keep him sidelined for several months.

As cover for Lucky, Liverpool have now added Amara Nallo to List B, with UEFA regulations permitting clubs to register youngsters up until midnight CET on the day before a match. Although the 19-year-old did not feature in Tuesday’s open training session, he is likely to be named on the bench against Qarabag.

Nallo has made two senior appearances for Liverpool so far, but both ended in red cards. He was sent off during a 3-2 Champions League defeat at PSV Eindhoven last season and again in a 3-0 Carabao Cup loss to Crystal Palace earlier this campaign.

Reflecting on the Palace dismissal, Slot praised the response of senior players, saying he did not need to say much to Nallo because Ibrahima Konate and Virgil van Dijk immediately went to support him. Slot highlighted their leadership and empathy, noting how important it was for experienced teammates to back a young player during a difficult moment.