Liverpool decline £70m Jarell Quansah buy-back option despite growing defensive injury crisis

Reds ignore Quansah return clause

Liverpool do not plan to trigger Quansah's buyback clause from Leverkusen, despite currently navigating a severe defensive injury crisis ahead of the new season. The Reds have a contractual option to re-sign the England international for £70 million, which is exactly double the fee they received when

Iraola battles threadbare defence

The decision not to pursue Quansah comes at a remarkably challenging time for

Joe Gomez is set to miss the start of the season after being forced off during a 4-2 pre-season victory over Sunderland. His sudden absence only compounds existing problems at the back. Highly-rated youngsters Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni are both still recovering from long-term injuries, leaving the squad desperately short of senior centre-backs.

Big-money signings remain sidelined

Liverpool invested heavily in their defence earlier this year, agreeing a £60m package with Rennes for Jacquet. The 21-year-old is still feeling "some discomfort" from a serious

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Leoni, signed from Parma as a long-term successor to Virgil van Dijk, hasn't played since suffering an ACL injury on his Carabao Cup debut last September. The club also lost

Assistant manager drafted into training

With Van Dijk currently enjoying an extended break, Iraola's threadbare options were fully exposed during a recent 4-2 pre-season defeat to Leeds. Teenager Ifeanyi Ndukwe, who will be unable to play competitively due to work permit issues, was forced to partner natural left-back Luke Chambers and 18-year-old Mor Talla Ndiaye in central defence.

The shortage is so severe that assistant manager Tommy Elphick has reportedly been drafted into training sessions to make up the numbers as the Reds continue their desperate pre-season preparations.