Jamie Carragher has insisted Liverpool will fail to retain their Premier League title if they don’t signal a brand new defender this month.
The Reds have had an injury-hit season and their again line has been hit the toughest, with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Fabinho, Joel Matip and Trent Alexander-Arnold all going through intervals on the sidelines.
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Van Dijk would be the largest miss and he faces nearly all of the season out with a knee damage following a conflict with Jordan Pickford in October’s Merseyside derby.
Gomez was additionally dominated out within the long-term and that has meant Jurgen Klopp has had to make use of a makeshift defence all through the marketing campaign.
Midfielders Fabinho and Jordan Henderson began because the centre-back pairing within the 1-Zero defeat to Southampton on Monday night, and Carragher maintained his former facet can not win the league once more if there isn’t any defensive reinforcements added in January.
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“I can’t see Liverpool successful the league in the event that they don’t purchase a centre-back,” he instructed Sky Sports activities.
“I mentioned that after the Everton sport when Van Dijk was injured, however I feel it’s a extremely powerful ask in the event that they don’t deliver anybody in.
“The actual fact they performed Jordan Henderson at centre-back will not be going to do quite a bit for the 2 lads on the bench (Rhys Williams and Nathaniel Phillips) and their confidence if they’ve two midfielders enjoying there. Henderson will not be a centre-back. He did effectively, however it’s not his place.”
However who might Liverpool signal this month to supply Klopp with cowl on the again as they search back-to-back titles?
Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig)
The Frenchman is without doubt one of the most coveted defenders on the planet following his breakthrough onto the scene with Leipzig.
He has been linked to a number of massive European golf equipment, together with Arsenal and Manchester United, however now hypothesis of a swap to Anfield is hotting up.
In reality, a deal of this magnitude going down in January is unlikely but when Klopp desires to ensure himself high quality, Upamecano is his man.
Because it stands, Bayern Munich are believed to be in pole place to signal the 22-year-old, who has a £38million launch clause which might be activated on the finish of the season.
Nonetheless, it’s mentioned he favours a transfer to the Premier League fairly than a swap to a different German membership.
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Sven Botman (Lille)
Dutch defender Botman, who has been vastly spectacular in his debut season with Lille, is being strongly thought-about by Anfield chiefs in January.
Studies final week claimed the Reds had been ‘engaged on a deal’ to deliver the 20-year-old after their recruitment crew recognized him as a participant who ticks all of the containers for a central defender.
Botman, who graduated from Ajax’s famed academy, is seen as a less expensive various to Upamecano and may very well be acquired this month.
It’s understood Lille will solely half methods with Botman for a charge of £35m, which may very well be an excessive amount of for a defender who’s but to show himself persistently for numerous seasons.
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Ozan Kabak (Schalke)
The Reds had been mentioned to have ‘made contact’ with Schalke over a doable swap deal for defender Kabak this month.
The report instructed that Champions League hero Divock Origi was provided in a bid to land the 20-year-old.
The Turkey worldwide solely joined Schalke from fellow German membership Stuttgart final summer season.
He left boyhood facet Galatasaray that January, however impressed a lot that Schalke paid his £13m launch clause simply six months later.
His contract runs till June 2024, and he has been described as ‘sensational’ worth at round £18m.
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Ben White (Brighton)
Liverpool had been linked with the Seagulls star all through the summer season, after his advantageous mortgage spell at Leeds, however Brighton stored maintain of their scorching prospect and he signed a brand new contract.
The south coast membership won’t promote him on a budget and can ask for at the very least £50m if Liverpool reignite their curiosity within the Englishman.
White was linked with Leeds and Chelsea all through the summer season after incomes rave evaluations at Elland Street final season, however he stayed at Brighton and has began 16 of their Premier League matches this time period.
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Maximilian Wober (Purple Bull Salzburg)
The Reds signed Takumi Minamino from Purple Bull Salzburg in January final 12 months and will now go for a second flutter on the Austrian membership this time period.
Wober has caught the attention of Jurgen Klopp this season for his imperious performances on the coronary heart of Salzburg’s defence.
The 22-year-old would even be an inexpensive choice, with Salzburg valuing him at round £13.three million when Lyon had been snooping round a possible deal in the summertime.
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Merih Demiral (Juventus)
The 22-year-old has performed a peripheral function for Andrea Pirlo’s facet this season, beginning simply six Serie A matches this season.
A number of high golf equipment are believed to have an interest, however Juve desire a hefty £45.2m if they’re to half methods with the centre-back.
Moreover, it’s understood the Italian giants have little curiosity in loaning him out with an choice to purchase.
Ought to Klopp pursue a deal for him, he must fend off competitors from Leicester, Actual Madrid and Atletico Madrid for his signature.
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David Alaba (Bayern Munich)
Liverpool are amongst 5 golf equipment to have contacted the defender’s agent a couple of switch along with his contract up in the summertime, in accordance with journalist Fabrizio Romano.
His versatility is known, having performed in quite a lot of defensive positions, together with centre and left-back for Bayern.
Having performed on the left below Louis van Gaal, Pep Guardiola is credited with turning him right into a central defender.
“I’ve been getting higher with yearly he’s been right here, due to [Guardiola],” Alaba as soon as instructed the Guardian. “However I didn’t know myself that I might play as central defender.”
Guardiola loved with the ability to name upon him throughout his three years on the membership.
“He can play wherever. He’s fast, is sweet within the build-up and is all the time 100 per cent centered. No doubt he might be probably the greatest centre-backs on the planet. He’s an enormous present for Bayern.”
Nonetheless, Actual Madrid are main the race to signal him and the 28-year-old fancies himself on the Bernabeu subsequent season and can be a free agent in June.
