Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp "convinced" Steven Caulker is best option for defensive cover

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 12 January 2016

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is "convinced" that signing Steven Caulker on loan is the "best solution" for the club's defensive injury crisis.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has claimed that Steven Caulker's arrival on loan is the "best solution" for the club's defensive injury crisis.

Defenders Martin Skrtel, Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho and Kolo Toure have all suffered injuries over the past few weeks.

The situation got so desperate that midfielder Lucas Leiva had to drop into the back four in the second half of Liverpool's 1-0 win over Stoke City in the first leg of the Capital One Cup semi-final last week.

Today, the club acquired the signature of Caulker from Queens Park Rangers on loan until the end of the season.

The 24-year-old was on a temporary stint at Southampton, but after making just eight appearances in this campaign, the Saints agreed to cancel the loan.

"We looked for Premier League experience because in this short time, you need that experience," Klopp told the club's official website. "We looked for a good header [of the ball] because that's what we need - we want to play good pressing, we want to press the opponent and so they have to play long balls.

"If they play long balls, you need people in the last line who can help you with headers, and we've found it with Steven Caulker. He was not in the best situation in Southampton, didn't play too much, but this is January and we want to have the best solution for us and we are absolutely convinced that Steven is the best solution for us.

"I am looking forward to working with him. He will be here today and then we can start working, so everything is good."

Caulker is eligible to play in tomorrow night's clash against Arsenal at Anfield.