Why Liverpool Need Another Centre-Back This January

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Joel Matip’s injury against West Brom left Liverpool with no fit senior centre backs remaining. After a 3-game winless run and a fixture against Burnley coming soon, Matip is expected to return to the side after injury.

Liverpool are fourth in the Premier League, but their title hopes are in the balance without any defensive reinforcements in the January window.

Jurgen Klopp’s side have amassed 34 points in 18 games this season which sees them six points adrift Man United, of whom have played a game more.

Long-term injuries to Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez has meant defensive midfielder Fabinho has deputised in the centre-back position for numerous games this season.

Although he has been lauded by pundits for his admirable performances, it is concerning he has already played with four different centre-backs this season.

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Joel Matip’s groin injury in Liverpool’s draw to West Brom in December has left Klopp with the inexperienced pair of Nathaniel Philips or Rhys Williams to partner Fabinho. 

Neither of the two started in the recent goalless draw against Manchester United on 17th January. Instead Liverpool central midfielder, Jordan Henderson has played in the centre-half role with Fabinho in both of Liverpool's last league fixtures.

Despite the injury crisis, Klopp has not yet definitively said that Liverpool have intentions to sign another centre-back in January.

But the developments this season show that neglecting to sign defensive cover is not a risk Liverpool can take if they wish to retain their league crown.

Picture from Liverpool FC

Short-term Injuries to Trent Alexander-Arnold as well as Fabinho earlier this season mean only Andy Robertson, of Liverpool’s starting defenders, has been continuously available for selection.

This is not even including when Robertson had picked up a hamstring injury on international duty after Scotland’s dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Serbia in November.

It is not an exaggeration to say Liverpool are a ‘Fabinho injury’ away from being out of the running for the league title despite the team’s wealth of attacking options. This is keeping in mind that Liverpool have struggled to score recently too, having not scored in their last 3 league games.

Ironically, it was Joel Matip who assisted the last Premier League goal Liverpool scored (vs West Brom on 27th December).

Nat Philips and Rhys Williams have only played a full 90 minutes on four occasions between them in the Premier League. Only keeping one clean sheet in the process against Newcastle, respectively.

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Neither of them have faced teams with strong attacking prowess like Leicester City or Man City- who would both look to take advantage of Liverpool’s weaker back line.

Liverpool do have a fantastic goalkeeper and explosive full backs but it is fair to assume Liverpool would be too fragile at the back if Fabinho picked up a serious injury.

Matip will return at some point in January but his fitness has historically been questionable during his time at Liverpool. It is a big risk for the club to rely on him to stay fit over an extended period of time.

If Liverpool want to keep up the momentum of their current campaign and end up as the winners again: they need to splash the cash and get another capable centre-back soon.