Neil Jones says he is 100% certain Liverpool must sign a new centre-back in the January transfer window.
Joel Matip’s season-ending ACL injury leaves Jurgen Klopp with four big options for his squad, including Ibrahima Konate (whose fitness record may be relevant), Joe Gomez (mainly used on the right this season) and Jarrell Quansah (20).
The manager denied there is no need to strengthen that department next month, but the journalist insisted Red cannot play with fire when it comes to deep central defensive options.
Jones told EOTK Insider: “Liverpool 100% need a centre-back. I think I will definitely need it in January. I don’t think we can expect Ibrahima Konate to be healthy this season. However, I don’t think we can expect him to play three games a week at the moment.”We have seen his fitness problems this season.
“We had to pull him out of the France squad and the Liverpool game because of injury fears.”He added: “I think Liverpool will look at what is available in January.
Klopp has already set the tone and expectations by saying “we won’t be there on January 1 looking for a centre-back”. You will know that you are already needed, and what is provided in January can be changed as the moon progresses. “Jones continued to say: “When they are at the top of the tournament, come to the semifinals of the Carabao Cup, and go up to the difficult draw from the FA Cup in the FA Cup, I think.
You don’t think you can rely on it, so you need to get one.”One is actually right now, it’s pretty good, the other is 20 years old, and there’s a great physical problem that I think Liverpool should get one.”
Fans of Liverpool will remember how the injury crisis three years ago. Fabinho and Jordan Henderson as a central partner of Reds, two -no -experience players have been to delete the midfield axle for a while (more success, Philips Waris Williams.
The Anfield hierarchy are considering bringing him back from his loan at Aberdeen, but it would still be imprudent for the club to let the January transfer window slip by without making a long-term effort to secure a new deal at this stage of the competition .
In the days since news of Matip’s ACL injury broke, Ronald Araujo, Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix and Jonathan Tah have all been suggested as options that could be explored in the market next month.
Klopp stressed that while the theory of player recruitment differs greatly from the actual reality, Liverpool should be in a strong enough position, both financially and in terms of performance on the pitch, to to attract a centre-back of sufficient quality. It’s more than earning a spot on the Reds’ roster.
The only positive aspect of last week’s serious injuries is that it is now a month into the season when the club can take steps to strengthen the squad.
This is something the bookmakers at Anfield will need to take advantage of if they are to avoid the risk of a defensive central lottery that has been a feature of the 2020/21 season.
