Speaking recently to TalkSPORT, Danny Murphy discussed Liverpool’s current issues at centre-back, and how he believes Jurgen Klopp could go about solving them.
After Virgil van Dijk was injured following a heavy challenge from Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside derby, ruling the 29-year-old out for, at least, a large chunk of the 2020/21 season, Klopp was left with just two experienced and senior central defenders in his squad – Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.
However, Gomez then also picked up an injury while on international duty with England, which has left the German boss with only Matip as an experienced option in the heart of his defence.
Because of the injuries sustained to their defenders, there have been reports suggesting a number of centre-backs the club could aim to sign in the January transfer window, however, speaking recently to TalkSPORT, Murphy suggested that Klopp does have players in his squad that he feels could fill in at centre-back.
He said: “What Matip gives them is a presence, physically, aerially. He’s an experienced guy now, he’s played a lot of games for Liverpool, he’s always been calm, anyway.
“Then, next to him, you’ve got options still, because Fabinho can play there – we’ve seen that many times. He’s defensively-minded, he’s clever, experienced.
“Although they’ve got a couple of young lads there who we’ve seen do alright when they’ve come in, one in the Champions League [and] one in the Premier League, I also think [Jordan] Henderson could play there.
“He’s not stupid and erratic with his tackling, he’s not somebody, even in midfield, who goes around getting silly red cards or putting himself on the line, he’s controlled. And he’s a leader, and he’s disciplined enough to play there.
“At the moment, I still think they can carry on with the form they have been [in] whilst they’ve got these injury problems, [but] I do think [in] January they are going to have to address it.”
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TIF Thoughts on Danny Murphy’s comments regarding Liverpool’s centre-back issues…
From Murphy’s comments, it seems as if the pundit is of the belief that Liverpool and Klopp can get by with the players that they currently have in their squad, although, he does also state that he feels they will have to address the area in the January transfer window.
However, with 11 games for Liverpool to play between now and January, in our opinion, with only one fit experienced centre-back in their squad, the club will be very lucky to reach the January transfer window while maintaining their impressive form throughout the season so far.