Transfer Centre

Liverpool 'still not planning to buy new centre-back in January'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 16 November 2020

Liverpool are not planning to sign a new centre-back in January despite being hit with numerous injuries in recent weeks, according to a report.

Liverpool reportedly have no intention of signing a new centre-back during the January transfer window despite the defensive crisis at Anfield.

Current first-choice defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are both set to miss long periods of the season with injuries, while fellow centre-back Joel Matip and makeshift defender Fabinho have suffered with problems of their own recently.

As a result, speculation has been rife surrounding a swoop for a new centre-back in the January transfer window, with Dayot Upamecano and Kalidou Koulibaly both mentioned as potential solutions to Jurgen Klopp's defensive dilemma.

However, according to The Athletic, Klopp is set to keep faith with the centre-backs who are currently on the books at Liverpool, and the Reds are instead looking ahead to their business for the summer.

The report claims that Klopp believes in the ability of youngsters such as Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams, while one of Liverpool's current first-team stars - namely Andrew Robertson, Jordan Henderson or James Milner - could deputise in a central defensive role if required.

An injury-plagued Liverpool return to Premier League action on Sunday when they welcome Leicester City to Anfield following the international break.