‘No brainer’ for Liverpool to sign a defender – McManaman

Robin Bairner

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

Liverpool legend Steve McManaman says that it is a “no brainer” for the Anfield club to sign a centre-back in January if the money is available.

The Reds have seen Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk suffer long-term injuries in the early weeks of the season, while they also sold Dejan Lovren to Zenit St Petersburg.

With their numbers stretched, the former Real Madrid and England winger believes they simply have to make a move in the forthcoming window if possible.

Liverpool can ‘deal with the numbers’ later

Asked in a BT Sport round table event what areas he would look at if he were in charge of Liverpool’s transfer policy, he replied: “I think the only area is in the central defensive area. I don’t think so in any other area of the pitch.

“If they have the finances, it is a no-brainer to go and sign a centre-half, then if you have too many central defenders then you sort it out at the end of the season.

“People keep saying that Liverpool let Lovren go and they never replaced him, which is true but you don’t expect two or three injuries in the same positions.

“If I had the money would I bring someone in? Yes. I don’t know what the financial situation is.

“Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk are out for a significant amount of time. You can move Fabinho back into the centre-half area where he has been fantastic.

“The academy players have done exceptionally well but it is hard when you get to the end of the Champions League and Premier League. It would be a no-brainer and I would look at getting a top central defender and deal with the numbers further down the line.”

Liverpool have been persistently linked with a move for RB Leipzig star Dayot Upamecano, though he has a release fee that will trigger in the summer that will likely make him a more attractive option then.