'Absolute class': 18-year-old is coming to solve major Liverpool problem | OneFootball

Liverpool have had plenty of selection difficulties in defence this season.

Owing to Giovanni Leoni’s injury - and a failure to land Marc Guehi on deadline day - the Premier League champions have only had three senior centre-back options all season long.

Virgil van Dijk has again been integral while Ibrahima Konate is his regular partner despite occasional lapses in form. That’s because Joe Gomez is the only alternative available to Arne Slot - and the 28-year-old’s fitness record isn’t the cleanest.

The Reds have therefore been in a position where all three senior centre-backs are on the pitch at once with Gomez filling in at right back.

It means no change of formation to a back three is possible - limiting what Arne Slot can do from the sidelines. Liverpool are crying out for new defenders - and thankfully they will be able to rely on Leoni as well as Jeremy Jacquet next season.

Mor Talla Ndiaye makes U21 debut

In the meantime one young defender may well get the opportunity to impress Slot with a late-season surge.

Mor Talla Ndiaye was signed from FC Amitie in Senegal back in January - after blowing Reds’ recruiters away during the FIFA under-17 World Cup for his country last winter.

The centre-back went straight into Rob Page’s Premier League 2 squad - but has been on the sidelines for the past couple of months.

Owing to an injury discovered when he signed the promising stopper has been unable to take his chance.

But all that changed on Monday night when the African starlet made his U21 debut. Coming off the bench for the final half hour or so against Manchester City, Ndiaye settled into his surroundings and earned significant praise from Page.

Ndiaye: Absolute class

"I'm really pleased with Mor," the head coach said according to TheRedMenTV.

"I can only imagine the transition going from where he's been, the teams he's played for, to coming into this environment.

"He's done it with absolute class and he deserved that tonight. He's given a great account of himself."

High praise indeed from the former Wales international manager and it’s clear hopes are high for Ndiaye. Before long he will be expected to make the leap from age-group football to the first team and that could well have a big effect for Arne Slot’s side.

The Reds are about to lose Konate on a free transfer while Van Dijk and Gomez are only contracted until 2027. Therefore the likes of Leoni, Jacquet and Ndiaye are the coming stars at the heart of the Liverpool defence.

Monday night represents a very important first step.