Liverpool urged to sign Upamecano by former player Peter Crouch

Martin Macdonald

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

Former Liverpool striker Peter Crouch believes the club need to reinforce their backline in the January transfer window with the acquisition of a new central defender.

The defending Premier League champions are in a defensive crisis of sorts, as Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are long-term absentees, while Joel Matip has been in and out of the team this season too.

Manager Jurgen Klopp has been forced to turn to youth at points, with 19-year-old Rhys Williams and 23-year-old Nathaniel Phillips coming in to cover their senior colleagues.

Midfielder Fabinho has played centre-back for most of the season, as has club captain Jordan Henderson.

Crouch reckons Liverpool need to make a defensive signing before the window shuts.

“Everyone in football can see that they need a centre-half. You’d think they would bring someone in before the deadline,” the he told talkSPORT.

“But we can’t criticise Liverpool’s transfer policy. It’s been unbelievable over the past couple of years, the players they’ve brought in and have improved.

“If it’s not the correct centre-half they won’t bring him in and the policy has gone well so far.”

Furthermore, Crouch believes the club should target RB Leipzig central defender Dayot Upamecano, who has developed into one of the most promising young players in Europe after his exploits in Germany over the past few seasons.

“There are so many top centre-halves out there,” he added.

“Upamecano is a top centre-half, I think he’s one of the best in Europe. He’s the best one out there if they can possibly get him.”

Should Liverpool hold an interest in signing Upamecano, they face fierce competition from elsewhere as teams ranging from Bayern, to Real Madrid, to Man Utd have all been linked with a move for his services.

The Reds are in a poor run of form at the moment and have dropped down to fifth in the table, seven points adrift of leaders Man City.