Aldridge: Title dreams will be over unless Liverpool signs another central defender

John Aldridge says that Jurgen Klopp must buy another centre-back in the January transfer window if they are to stay on course to successfully defend their league title.

With Joel Matip picking up another leg injury which will see him sidelined for around three weeks, Jurgen Klopp is once again down to the bare bones when it comes to alternatives.

Midfielder Fabinho has filled the role with aplomb for a large majority of the season while the manager has alternated between youngsters Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams when the need arises.

In the 0-0 draw with Newcastle, it was the former Bolton Wanderers junior who partnered the Brazilian in the heart of the defence.

While both of the inexperienced pair have held their own, it has become apparent that despite his undoubted class, Matip cannot be relied on to put a consistent block of games together leaving leaving Liverpool in a perilous position.

The former Reds and Republic of Ireland striker aired his thoughts in his Sunday World piece.

“Word has been coming out of Anfield suggesting Liverpool are not looking to sign anyone next month, but it has to be a smokescreen because they simply have to sign a centre-half if they are serious about retaining the Premier League title,"

"Joel Matip's injury in Sunday's 1-1 draw against West Bromwich Albion confirmed what we have all appreciated for some time now - Liverpool have to spend money on a good quality defender.

"The injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have ripped a hole in Liverpool's defensive line and with Matip clearly struggling with his fitness, Liverpool are horribly short at the centre of their defence.

“Fabinho has been brilliant filling in at centre-back, but the suggestion that captain Jordan Henderson or Gini Wijnaldum can play in there is nonsense.

While Aldridge praised the development of Phillips and Williams, he said consistently playing them in such a vital position is asking for trouble with opposition teams identifying weaknesses in their game.

“Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips have done well at centre-back, but playing youngsters in such a vital position is a recipe for disaster.

“Against the top sides in the Champions League, youngsters are liable to found out - and that could also be the case in the Premier League.

“We saw some naivety from Liverpool's young players as they handed West Brom a corner and conceded late on against Sam Allardyce's side and we can expect more of the same unless a defender arrives next month.

“Rival managers will target the right side of Liverpool's defence, try and get in behind Trent Alexander-Arnold when he bombs forward and look to attack an inexperienced centre-back.

January is widely seen as a extremely difficult time to do any transfer deals of note with teams understandably unwilling to give their rivals an advantage for the second half of the season.

And those deals which do get done come at a increased fee such as Virgil Van Dijk, although it goes without saying that Dutch colossus has been worth every cent and then some.

Aldridge says the transfer dealings of Liverpool have been of such a high standard on recent years that he wouldn’t be surprised if they are working on a deal behind the scenes.

And if they get it over the line, it could be catalyst for a storied era of Liverpool dominance.

“Liverpool's transfer committee, and especially recruiter-in-chief Michael Edwards, has done a magnificent job of identifying the right players in recent years and now they need to pull another rabbit out of the hat.

“Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez will be back next season, but the here and now is all-important for Klopp and he needs to be given at least one quality centre-back to boost his options.

“This really could be Liverpool's time to dominate the Premier League for years to come, as they are led by the best manager in the game and have some world-class performers in their line-up.

“That's why it is more important than ever for the club to flex their muscle in the transfer market and protect their position at the top of the Premier League.”