Former England manager Glenn Hoddle has claimed that Liverpool should be looking to buy a centre-back in the January transfer window.
Back in October, the Reds’ imperious Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk damaged his anterior cruciate ligament following a challenge from Jordan Pickford in the Merseyside derby (per BBC).
The following month, another of Liverpool’s central defenders picked up a long-term injury as Joe Gomez damaged a tendon in his left knee.
To add further issues in defence for Liverpool, Joel Matip is currently an injury concern for the Reds after he limped off the pitch during the 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion (per Liverpool Echo).
During the latest episode of The Glenn Hoddle Footy Show, he discussed these defensive issues and claimed that the Reds need to dip into the transfer market.
He said: “I think Liverpool have got to look at seriously buying a centre-back just because Matip went out of the game [against West Brom] as well with a groin [issue], which looks like it’s related to his back problem.
“So, they’re going to be very short.
“They’ve got two youngsters and Fabinho at the moment that are going to be their centre-backs, unless they come up with some other player that they convert – maybe [Jordan] Henderson.
“They’re going to have to look [at] going into the market in January, there’s no doubt about that. They’ll be looking at all the centre-backs around the world to try and bring in somebody, for sure.”
TIF Thoughts on what Glenn Hoddle said about Liverpool’s need for a centre-back…
As can be seen in what Hoddle had to say, he believes that the Reds need to bring in a centre-back and that they will be looking to do so in January as they will be too short in that position otherwise.
Should Liverpool sign a centre-back in January?
Yes, we need to get one
No, we don't need one
As stated by the former England manager, without Matip, Van Dijk and Gomez, the Reds’ squad certainly appears to lack depth in the centre of defence.
In terms of out-and-out centre-backs in the squad, there would only be Rhys Williams, Sepp van den Berg and Nathaniel Phillips, with Fabinho as cover (per Transfermarkt).
So, that would certainly suggest that it could be a shrewd move from Jurgen Klopp to bring someone in during the January transfer window.