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Steve Nicol has urged Liverpool FC to make a move to sign Dayot Upamecano in the January transfer window to add defensive coverage to his team.
The Reds have been shaken by the news that Joe Gomez will join Virgil van Dijk on the bench after the England international was ruled out for several months following knee surgery.
Injuries to Van Dijk and Gomez have left Liverpool FC with no options at the rear, as the Reds aim to try and defend their Premier League title this season.
Inevitably, the setbacks are likely to spark speculation linking the Merseyside team to a string of potential defensive signings in the January transfer window.
Nicol, a former Reds star, feels Liverpool FC should come out now and try to sign French defender Upamecano, 22, from RB Leipzig, in the January window.
Speaking in an interview with ESPN FC, Nicol said: “Oh my gosh, [Liverpool’s title chances] they fall a good 20, 25 percent of where they were, without Van Dijk.
“I think that right now Liverpool absolutely, due to this injury, has to go out and spend a lot of money.
“Joe Gomez, at 23, has already had two major surgeries. That means the chances of it happening again increase.
“You’re talking about percentages of Liverpool defending [the title], you talk about the percentages that a player suffers another serious injury.
“So I think this forces them to do it and they should go find Upamecano.”
Liverpool FC, who won the title with seven matches to spare last season, are currently in third place in the Premier League table and one point behind leaders Leicester City.
The Reds will return to top flight action after the international break when they face leaders Leicester City at Anfield on November 21.
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