Liverpool news: Marc Guehi alternative found as Arne Slot rocked by devastating injury update

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has been rocked by the devastating news that Giovanni Leoni is set to miss a year of action. The 18-year-old Italian suffered an ACL injury duringthe Carabao Cup win over Southampton on Tuesday night.

The injury, which Slot confirmed is damage to the former Parma player's anterior cruciate ligament, means he will be out for the foreseeable future. The injury is no doubt a blot on Liverpool's season so far which has seen the Reds win all five of their Premier League games so far, leaving them five points clear at the top of the table.

Liverpool now face a tough challenge against Crystal Palace on Saturday, with the Eagles also unbeaten so far this season. However, Leoni's injury perfectly underscores Liverpool's need for defensive reinforcements.

The Reds may have also found an alternative to long-term transfer target, Palace captain Marc Guehi, however, in the form of Bayern Munich star Dayot Upamecano as they look to ease their centre-back concerns. Here, Mirror Football takes a look at how Slot's squad is shaping up for the clash with Palace.

Key players missing for Crystal Palace clash

Leoni gave a commanding performance on Tuesday prior to his injury, making the devastating blow harder to stomach for Slot. It also means Leoni will naturally not be available for selection against Palace.

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Speaking of Leoni's injury, Slot said: "There is never a positive side but you try to look at that and that is that he is still so young and he has so many years still go to after he recovers from a terrible injury."

As well as missing Leoni, Liverpool will also travel to Selhurst Park without Hugo Ekitike, who was sent off in bizarre circumstancesat Anfield on Tuesday. There seemed to be confusion over which game the French forward would miss, with some fans suggesting he would miss the club's next Carabao Cup game, also against Palace.

However, Ekitike will miss the Premier League trip through suspension, meaning new signing Alexander Isak, who scored his first goal for the club midweek against Southampton, could be in line to start his first game for Liverpool.

Yet, Palace are also facing a brewing crisis of their own with Ismaila Sarr, Yeremy Pino, Chadi Riad, Cheick Doucoure, Caleb Kporha and Walter Benitez all potentially missing out on Saturday.

Reds find Marc Geuhi alternative

With Leoni out for such a huge chunk of time, Slot already finds himself relying on the fitness of Ibrahima Konate, who is in the last year of his contract at Liverpool, and Joe Gomez when it comes to partnering Virgil van Dijk in the heart of the Reds' defence.

While the duo's ability is not up for debate, their injury history is patchy. The failed pursuit of Marc Guehi on transfer deadline day already looks to be haunting Liverpool.

The Anfield side are said to still be keen on Guehi, however, the defender is free to speak to clubs on the continent in the near future, with Real Madrid said to be keen. Real's reported interest has now sprung the Reds into action, with Slot's side rumoured to have pivoted to Upamecano, as per Bild.

Upamecano, a one-time defensive partner of Konate at RB Leipzig, is going through a contract saga of his own. However, it's reported that Bayern would be keen to renew his deal.

Bayernshelled out £36million for Upamecano in 2021 and he has won three Bundesliga titles with the Bavarian giants since. Real are also said to be circling Konate, complicating Liverpool's ongoing centre-back chase, meaning a deal for Guehi or Upamecano could be accelerated.

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