Liverpool line up shock move for ex-Premier League star to solve Andoni Iraola crisis

Liverpool have made contact with a former Premier League player as Andoni Iraola already faces an injury crisis in his squad.

Iraola replaced Arne Slot in June after the Dutchman unconvincingly confirmed Champions League football in the final weeks of the last campaign.

Liverpool are yet to make major moves in the summer transfer window, despite their poor season. Victor Munoz and Jeremey Jacquet remain their only arrivals, with Jacquet's transfer from Rennes being agreed in January.

Several key players have departed Anfield, including Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson.

Salah and Robertson's exits were expected, but Konate's decision to join Real Madrid threw a spanner in the works for the Reds' transfer plans.

It means that after Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, Liverpool's two centre-back options are 21-year-old Jacquet and 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni, who is currently recovering from a serious knee injury.

Van Dijk is yet to join pre-season after featuring for the Netherlands at the World Cup, while Gomez went off injured in a 4-2 win over Sunderland last week.

"Probably the worst news has been straight away the injury of Joe," Iraola said. "We were happy because we were going through training without losing any players and, unluckily for us, we've lost Joe straight away."

Gomez's Liverpool career has been blighted by injury and his latest woes will do little to alleviate Iraola's fears.

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Liverpool make contact for former Premier League defender

Per Tuto Juve, Liverpool know how important it is to recruit smartly at the back. It's seen them make contact with AC Milan for Fikayo Tomori, who most will remember for his spell at Chelsea before leaving for Serie A in 2021.

His contract is set to expire in 2027 and the costs surrounding a potential transfer are being worked out. Tomori has been a mainstay at the back for Milan, even winning their first Serie A title in 11 years in 2022.

New Milan manager Ruben Amorim is reportedly unconvinced by Tomori and isn't against cashing in now. Juventus are among other potential suitors.

Iraola's thoughts on signing a new centre-back

There's no doubt Liverpool are light at the back. Mor Talla Ndiaye and Ife Ndukwe, both 18-years-old, started against Wrexham, with right-back Luke Chambers also filling in.

Ndukwe won't be allowed to play in the Premier League this season as he currently doesn't meet the requirements for a work permit in the UK.

When asked about potential incomings at the back, Iraola said:

"No, right now, you've seen [in] these games we are pretty thin in the centre-back position. We still don't have Virgil [van Dijk]. The only real centre-backs we have right now are Mor [Talla Ndiaye] and Ife [Ndukwe] that are 18 years old, just arrived to the club and they are doing incredibly well.

"Luke Chambers played there; he is not a centre-back, but he played really, really well. We will have to [do that] until we recover some bodies. I think Jeremy [Jacquet] is ready to go. We will recover Virgil, but I'm happy that playing against Sunderland and against Wrexham - good teams - with 18-year-old centre-backs, the team has shown composure, solidity at the back and that speaks very well about them."