Liverpool‘s centre-back situation slipped into crisis mode once again as Joel Matip limped off against West Brom.
The 29-year-old went down holding his groin during the second-half at Anfield and was replaced by youngster Rhys Williams, who went on to join stand-in centre-back Fabinho in the heart of the champions’ defence.
Matip now looks set to join Liverpool’s first-choice centre-backs Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez on the sidelines, although the exact extent of his injury remains to be seen.
The incident led to former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher urging Jurgen Klopp to enter the transfer market in January in a bid to shore up what is increasingly becoming a problem area for the team.
“He’s a really good player but he’s injury prone,” Carragher said on Sky Sports commentary as he watched Matip receive treatment from Liverpool’s physio.
“That’s why I said as soon as Virgil van Dijk went down at Everton [in October], Liverpool had to do something in January. Not because they haven’t got quality there: Fabinho looks like he’s played there all his life since he’s moved back but Matip just cannot play game after game after game and that’s what you want from centre-backs.
“I think most people would agree Liverpool are the strongest team in this country and favourites to win the league but the only thing that holds them back is that centre-back position and injuries and the threat of those young players [Williams and Nathaniel Phillips] playing together for a long period of time.
“That’s why I think it’s vital that Liverpool go into the market in January. Not that those lads aren’t good enough but it’s that their most experienced centre-back is too injury prone.”
Analysis: Who could Liverpool buy in January?
By Will Magee
Here are five centre-backs who have been touted as possible stand-ins for Van Dijk, rated on the likelihood of them signing in January.
Seems far-fetched <—*****—> Someone start tracking his plane, he’s en route!
Kalidou Koulibaly
Liverpool have been linked with Koulibaly for several years now but, then again, so has almost every other elite club in Europe. With his contract running until 2023, the Napoli man would come at a considerable cost.
Despite reports in Italy that Liverpool might be willing to pay up to €75m for his services, it’s notoriously difficult to make big-money signings in January. While Van Dijk is the obvious exception to the rule, that was a very different situation – not least given the financial impact of coronavirus – and Liverpool really need someone to deputise for him, rather than a player of Koulibaly’s stature.
Rating: *
Dayot Upamecano
While Klopp keeps a close eye on the Bundesliga and has a track record of signing players from Red Bull-affiliated clubs – see Naby Keita and Takumi Minamino – Upamecano comes with the same drawbacks as Koulibaly, namely that he would come at a high cost and doing a deal in the middle of the season would be extremely difficult.
Having signed a new deal with RB Leipzig in July, keeping him at the club until 2023, the likelihood of him leaving in January seems remote. Though he reportedly has a release clause in his new contract, it’s not active until next summer.
Rating: *
Diego Carlos
Having joined Sevilla from Nantes last year and impressed in his debut season, Carlos was said to be on Liverpool’s radar in the summer.
According to Don Balon, Klopp is still interested and he could be available in January for €60m.
While that would make him more affordable than Koulibaly or Upamecano, it still seems like a hefty sum.
Rating: **
Ben White
After an impressive season on loan with Leeds in the Championship, White was a target for several Premier League clubs. Brighton were determined to keep him, however, and eventually convinced him to sign a new deal in September.
Having started all of their Premier League games so far, he is gaining valuable experience and, at 23, he fits the right profile. While he wouldn’t come cheap, he seems like a more achievable signing than Koulibaly or Upamecano and could prove to be a shrewd long-term investment.
Rating: ***
Ozan Kabak
Despite Schalke’s struggles this year – they are currently bottom of the Bundesliga without a win – Kabak has managed to impress in an otherwise floundering team.
He was coached by David Wagner until his sacking in September, so Klopp should be able to ask his old friend for the inside track on his development. Still only 20, he should come at a relatively reasonable price and, like White, has plenty of room to improve.
Rating: ***
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