Arne Slot claims Liverpool do NOT need new centre-back amid summer splurge on new forwards and concerning 4-2 loss to AC Milan in pre-season

Slot made the comments in the immediate aftermath of the Reds' 4-2 pre-season loss to Milan in Hong Kong on Saturday. Ryan Gravenberch started the game alongside Virgil van Dijk in the heart of Liverpool's defence, with Ibrahima Konate and Kostas Tsimikas taking over the responsibility in the second half. Understandably, questions over the Reds depth at the position came in the post-match presser. Slot said he felt Gravenberch proved he can provide cover, and that Wataru Endo can also step into the role when required.

The Dutchman accepted the club had yet to replace Jarrell Quansah; the academy product was allowed to leave for Bayer Leverkusen earlier this summer to pursue first-team football. Joe Gomez has returned to Liverpool from the club's pre-season tour of Asia as he is carrying an Achilles injury, which has been described by Slot as "minor".

Slot said: "I don’t think we have a concern at centre-back. In terms of depth? I think Ryan showed today, by the way, that he can play in that position. He did it last season as well. Although we all know we favour him as a No.6. Wata [Endo] can play there. Joe Gomez only has a minor injury, he has been good for us last season as well. We have enough options left. But it’s true that Jarell Quansah left and we haven’t replaced him yet."

The Anfield club have spent big this summer, signing two attacking full backs in Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong, while splashing the cash on marquee attacking names in Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike. Little has been done to address the spine of the team. Given Quansah's exit and Gomez's long injury history, could that decision scupper their Premier League title defence?