Hugo Ekitike's tongue-in-cheek Marc Guehi quip to Liverpool pal as defensive woes grow

Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike couldn't help but make a cheeky comment to his team-mate Ryan Gravenberch, who was forced to deputise in defence during the Reds' 6-0 Champions League victory over Qarabag

Liverpool star Hugo Ekitike has delivered a cheeky Marc Guehi dig at Ryan Gravenberch. The Frenchman has made the quip towards his Reds colleague after the midfielder was compelled to fill in alongside Virgil van Dijk due to injury and selection issues at Anfield.

Gravenberch, 23, was included in the Reds' defensive line for the Champions League clash with Qarabag as his team secured their spot in the Round of 16 with a dominant 6-0 victory over the Azerbaijan outfit.

The Dutch international was obliged to drop deeper as Ibrahima Konate remains unavailable due to compassionate leave, whilst Joe Gomez encountered fresh fitness concerns in the dramatic loss to Bournemouth on Saturday.

Ekitike couldn't resist a tongue-in-cheek comment at his Liverpool colleague and in doing so, mentioned Guehi - a Liverpool target before joining Manchester City this month.

Gravenberch shared a series of images on social media platform Instagram, with the caption: "Top 8."

His Liverpool teammates quickly rallied to back him, whilst Ekitike praised his display and remarked: "Guehi! ! ! [crying with laughter emoji]."

Whether the summer signing is comparing Gravenberch's showing to one of Guehi's remains unclear. Ekitike may have been teasing Liverpool's transfer disappointment after the defender's switch to Anfield collapsed, with the Selhurst Park club abandoning the deal.

This development arrives just weeks after the 25-year-old's transfer tug-of-war was eventually resolved. Guehi had completed a Liverpool medical on transfer deadline day during the summer window but South London bosses refused to complete the transaction.

Liverpool have faced escalating injury crises in recent months, starting with Giovanni Leoni, who sustained a severe knee problem on his debut that sidelined him for the remainder of the campaign.

Van Dijk and Konate have formed the established defensive pairing for the Reds, whilst Gomez has provided cover but has battled his own fitness concerns.

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Konate has been absent from Liverpool's previous three fixtures as he addressed a family situation following his father's passing. Gomez was substituted during the opening period against Bournemouth on Saturday, meaning Liverpool entered the Champions League showdown with only one recognised centre-back available.

January speculation had linked Guehi, who was set to become a free agent in the summer when his contract expired, but Pep Guardiola's team moved quickly to address their own defensive shortcomings.

Reflecting on his switch to the North West, months after his Liverpool transfer collapsed, he said: "It was very close.

"Very close. The medical was pretty much done and then it got pulled at the last minute.

"My mindset is what will be, will be. It would be doing Palace a disservice if I was acting a certain way because the club's given me everything.

"The least I can do is show up to work every single day, shut my mouth and keep my head down. I think that's the most important thing."