Two centre-backs stood out to Liverpool's scouting department during the FIFA U17 World Cup in Qatar last November.
Within weeks, the Reds had moved quickly, spending a combined £3.5 million to sign Senegal's Mor Talla Ndiaye and Austria's Ifeanyi Ndukwe. Under director of global talent Matt Newberry, the acquisitions reflected Liverpool's commitment to long-term planning and investing in the next generation.
Few inside the club, however, could have imagined the teenage pair would form Liverpool's central defensive partnership for much of their opening pre-season friendly.
Joe Gomez's injury just eight minutes into the clash against Sunderland forced Ndiaye and Ndukwe into action, exposing the club's lack of senior options. With Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni also unavailable through injury, Liverpool's shortage at centre-back has become impossible to ignore.
Planning for the future is important, but Liverpool now need reinforcements for the present.
Even before Gomez's setback, new head coach Andoni Iraola admitted his defensive options were "very thin." The England international was absent from Liverpool's training session in Chicago on Sunday, with an update on the extent of his injury expected later this week.
Gomez has endured a frustrating spell with injuries throughout his Anfield career. Since joining from Charlton Athletic in 2015, he has missed 225 matches through injury, according to Transfermarkt, making him one of the unluckiest players in Liverpool's recent history.
That leaves Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool's only fit senior centre-back. The club captain, now 35, played every minute of the Premier League campaign last season but is no longer the dominant force he once was. Like Gomez, Van Dijk is entering the final year of his contract, meaning Liverpool could lose both experienced defenders next summer.
Liverpool's decision to allow Ibrahima Konaté to leave for Real Madrid on a free transfer was partly influenced by the club's belief in the potential of Jeremy Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni. Signed for £60 million and £26 million respectively, the duo are regarded as two of the brightest young centre-backs to emerge from France and Italy.
The club remains confident both players will develop into top-level defenders, with Jacquet expected to make his debut against Leeds United on Sunday. However, despite their immense promise, neither player is yet the finished article.
Former Liverpool striker Robbie Fowler believes the club cannot rely solely on youth.
"We need players. It's fairly obvious," Fowler told BBC Sport in New York ahead of Liverpool's meeting with Wrexham.
"I'm very sad for Joe Gomez because he's been so unfortunate with injuries. This could have been a real opportunity for him to cement his place and show that Liverpool didn't need another centre-half.
"We've invested in Jacquet and Leoni, but the experience that Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk can offer those young players is invaluable.
"We won't see the best versions of the youngsters immediately. That's why you still need experienced defenders around them. The manager has already said the squad needs additions, and I wouldn't be surprised if another centre-back is high on Liverpool's list before the transfer window closes."
With injuries already exposing a lack of depth before the new season has even begun, Liverpool's need for another experienced centre-back has become increasingly urgent. Iraola may believe in the club's talented youngsters, but relying on potential alone is a gamble few Premier League title contenders can afford to take.
