Andoni Iraola’s assistant, 38, forced to join Liverpool training session with Reds facing defensive crisis

ALARM bells over Liverpool’s scant squad depth have intensified after their assistant coach was forced to make up preseason numbers. Reports that Iraola’s right-hand man Tommy Elphick had to double as a training ground centre-half epitomise the club’s current defensive crisis. Liverpool’s preseason has suffered from a severe lack of centre back options Credit: Reuters Retired Premier League star and new assistant coach Tommy Elphick has had to dust off his boots Credit: AFP Plagued by personnel shortages, the Red’s recent tour of the US was far from the American dream. Former Bournemouth captain Elphick hung up his boots after a 16-year playing career back in 2021, but had to pull on a training bib to fill Liverpool‘s defensive void. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! Elphick’s presence in preseason is a stark manifestation of Liverpool’s lack of immediate options at the back. Expectations of an exhilarating new era under Iraola’s intense pressing style were quickly dampened just eight minutes into the Basque’s reign when centre-back stalwart Joe Gomez limped off injured. The Reds were already rife with defensive niggles when Gomez was sidelined in the 4-2 friendly win over Sunderland. Despite signing two of the continent’s most promising centre backs last season, Liverpool’s attempt to future-proof their back line with Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni has been devastated by injuries. Italian wonderkid Leoni suffered a freak ACL injury on a nightmare Anfield debut last September, and has been consigned to recovery ever since. Meanwhile, a prolonged shoulder injury has hamstrung Jacquet, and Liverpool are yet to get a glimpse at £55 million worth of French talent. Most read in Sport CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS New coach Andoni Iraola has had to adapt to a bare bones back line Credit: Reuters Former Premier League player of the season Virgil van Dijk possesses indisputable class, but is past his very best at 35 and was absent from the America tour as he recuperates after the World Cup. 2024’s English champions have lost key bedrocks since tasting glory, with Ibrahima Konate and Trent Alexander Arnold both departing to the Bernabeu on free transfers. With a string of stars either on the operating table or at new homes, Liverpool had to place 18-year-old Ifeanyi Ndukwe and 22-year-old Luke Chambers at the heart of their preseason defence. While both showed flashes of brilliance, Chambers spent last season on loan in the Championship, and Ndukwe has been forced out on loan after failing to qualify for a work permit amid visa issues. Liverpool’s makeshift defence was brutally exposed in a grisly second half against Leeds, with Daniel Farke’s men putting four past the Reds in 45 minutes in Chicago in their 4-2 victory. Despite their bare bones back line, recent transfer speculation on Merseyside has centred around a potential £100million plus move for PSG’s attacking dynamo Bradley Barcola. Comment now