Klopp: Liverpool “will try” to sign a new defender before window shuts

Stefan Bienkowski

• Updated: 19 May 2021 15:43 BST
• 2 min read

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that the club “will try” to sign a defender before the January transfer window closes. 

The Anfield side were dealt another defensive blow during Thursday’s 3-1 victory over Tottenham Hotspur, when Joel Matip was forced to go off at half time with an injury. 

Alongside long-term injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, Matip’s injury now means that Liverpool are without any of the recognised central defenders they relied upon to win the Premier League title last season. 

Klopp has spent much of this current campaign improvising within his squad, using midfielders such as Fabinho and Jordan Henderson as make-shift central defenders, as well as calling up younger, less experienced central defenders such as Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams. 

However, the English champions have got to the point that their back-up midfielders are now picking up injuries, with Fabinho being forced out of the team with a last-minute injury ahead of Thursday’s clash with Tottenham. 

And, despite their best efforts, the likes of Phillips and Williams have yet to suggest that they’re ready to make the step up and consistently fill the gaps in defence. 

As such, Klopp has admitted that his side may now be forced to bring in defensive reinforcements before the transfer window shuts. 

“We will try,” the Liverpool manager told the media on Friday when asked about buying another defender. 

“It would be funny if you thought Liverpool were fine with the situation. We try, but there’s nothing to say until something happens. We will see.”

One glimmer of good news for Liverpool fans came in the form of an update on Matip’s condition. 

While it seemed to be a serious injury at first glance on Thursday night, Klopp believes the central defender may now be back sooner than initially feared. 

“Joel, last night I was pretty emotional after the game. There are still glimpses of hope that it’s not that serious. We don’t know the final result. Fabinho, no chance for the weekend.”