Liverpool boss has been tipped to move for a centre-back in the January transfer window
Jurgen Klopp says he has yet to decide if he will move for a centre-back in the January transfer window.
The Liverpool boss is gearing up for what will be much of the campaign without his most used defensive partnership as Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk continue their respective rehabilitation after knee surgery.
Van Dijk suffered anterior cruciate ligament damage against Everton last month and went under the knife at the end of October, while Gomez is currently recovering from surgery after his own knee injury on England duty last week.
The Reds have also been without Fabinho throughout November after the midfielder succumbed to a hamstring issue against Midtjylland on October 27 while playing as a makeshift defender.
It leaves just Joel Matip as the only fit senior centre-back in the Liverpool ranks with rookie Nat Phillips expected to line up for his second Premier League appearance when the champions host league leaders Leicester on Sunday evening.
The Reds are also sweating on the fitness of youngster Rhys Williams after he was withdrawn as a precaution from the England Under-21 squad with a hip complaint this week.
Despite the paucity of options at the heart of what has previously been the Premier League's strongest defence for the past two seasons, Klopp says he has "no idea" if he will delve into the market when the window opens in the New Year.
Liverpool have 11 games to play before the negotiating can officially begin and Klopp is merely focusing on getting through the congested period.
"We will see," Klopp said when asked about his plans for January. "I don't know what we can do in January to be honest, I have no idea.
"That we look for solutions, look at the transfer market, that is clear of course. But at the moment we have the situation we have.
"We cannot compare situations really, I only want to mention it when I came to Dortmund in 2008, my two centre-halves were turning 19 and 20 in (Neven) Subotic and (Mats) Hummels that winter.
"We played with them for the entire time and they were talents. They were young, we have [players aged] 18, 19, 23 and then we have more experienced players and we will see. Everyone has a chance.
"We have midfielders [who can play at centre-back]. Not at the moment, but hopefully in a couple of weeks midfielders who can play a more defensive role as well.
"So these are the solutions at the moment that we think about.
"What we do in January, I have no idea. If we can do something, I have no idea, if we want to do something, I have no idea.
"We will just see. At the moment, we are fine. We use the boys we have and I am really happy.
"We speak constantly about injuries so it is not easy for me to be happy in these press conferences, but I am about the chance they have now.
"You should see them in training, they smell the chance and they step up.
"They want to show that they are ready and that is good. I am really confident it will work out with the boys and hopefully we can show the world that."
No comments:
Post a Comment