Young centre-back Wellity Lucky has been ruled out for at least two months with a hamstring injury, as confirmed by reliable sources including The Athletic’s James Pearce and widely reported across outlets like the Liverpool Echo, Mirror, and GiveMeSport.
The 20-year-old academy product, who made his senior debut in a 3-0 Carabao Cup defeat to Crystal Palace in October 2025, picked up the issue recently—causing him to miss Liverpool U21s’ last two matches against Arsenal and Leeds United. While Lucky isn’t a regular Premier League starter (he’s primarily a squad/depth option and bench prospect), his absence further depletes Arne Slot’s defensive resources at a critical time.
Current Defensive Crisis Context
Liverpool’s backline is in dire straits heading into late January 2026:
- Giovanni Leoni (summer signing from Parma) has been sidelined since September 2025 with an ACL tear—out for the season (around a year).
- Conor Bradley suffered a serious injury earlier, also ruled out for the rest of the campaign.
- Joe Gomez was forced off in the first half against Bournemouth with a knee issue (swelling noted post-match); his return timeline is unclear, with Slot admitting uncertainty about him training soon.
- Ibrahima Konaté has missed recent games due to a personal issue and hasn’t featured in the last two matches.
- This leaves primarily Virgil van Dijk as the fully fit senior centre-back option, forcing improvised solutions like using midfielder Wataru Endo alongside him in recent games.
The timing couldn’t be worse amid a dip in form—Liverpool sit sixth in the Premier League, two points off the top four, after their 13-game unbeaten run ended at the Vitality Stadium. Slot’s side has struggled with energy, mentality, and depth, as highlighted by pundits. Lucky’s injury means one fewer option even for the substitutes’ bench, limiting rotation and emergency cover.
What This Means for Slot and Liverpool
Slot remains focused on squad management, but the mounting injuries have intensified calls for defensive reinforcements. Jamie Redknapp (former Liverpool captain) warned on Sky Sports that the club could face “real problems” without additions, especially after missing out on targets like Marc Guehi. Carragher urged a potential January signing but cautioned against panic buys.
No immediate senior incomings are confirmed in this quiet window, though the club is reportedly exploring options to address the crisis. Lucky’s setback is another symptom of broader fitness and depth issues under Slot, following last season’s title success.
For Reds supporters in Lagos and worldwide: this is a tough pill after the Bournemouth heartbreak and leadership speculation. The focus now shifts to resilience in upcoming fixtures—recovery for key players and smart management could still turn things around, but the defensive bare bones are exposed. Stay tuned to official LFC channels and journalists like Pearce or Romano for any late-window developments. The rebuild (or survival mode) continues. (Word count: 712)
