Five defenses Liverpool could sign in the January transfer window after Joe Gómez’s blow

Liverpool are reeling after Joe Gomez sustained a serious knee injury in training while on duty in England.

With Virgil van Dijk absent for a long time, coach Jurgen Klopp turned to defensive midfielder Fabinho on his back, but the Brazilian suffered a hamstring injury from which he is recovering.

Joel Matip is prone to injury but was back in shape after playing in a 1-1 draw with Manchester City on Sunday, while youngsters Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips have substituted in recent matches.

The addition of Gomez to the disabled list is a huge blow to Klopp, particularly if, as seems likely with the confirmation that it is a non-contact injury, he is ready for an extended period on the sidelines.

If the scans confirm that is the case, Klopp and Liverpool will have to seriously consider signing a new defender in January.

That being said, Mirror Football has taken a look at five defenders who could be on the Reds’ wish list.

Upamecan Dayot

The French defender is the name on the lips of sporting directors across Europe due to his performances at RB Leipzig.

This is most likely his last year at the German club with a 2021 summer release clause allowing him to leave for around £ 40 million.

If Liverpool want him in January, they could be forced to pay a bit more, as they did when they agreed on terms to sign Naby Keita from RBL before rival clubs previously.

Doing so could be a success, especially with the France international that is emerging as one of the best centers in the world in the coming years.

Ozan kabak

Schalke are struggling on and off the pitch, with their finances in a mess. Fortunately for them, Kabak is one of the few assets on their books.

The Turkish international is only 20 years old, but he has plenty of first-team experience and has already been on Liverpool’s radar.

It is a good size, dominates the air but has a lot of room for improvement.

Ben white

There are high hopes for White in Brighton and they were delighted to persuade him to sign a new long-term deal recently, having avoided the interests of Leeds United, where he was on loan last term.

But he hasn’t stopped interest in him and, as Mirror Sport’s David Maddock revealed on August 4, Liverpool have been monitoring White’s progress.

However, it would cost well over £ 30 million if they moved. Are you willing to commit such a figure?

David Alaba

Liverpool’s recruiting team was smart in capturing Thiago in the summer from Bayern Munich.

And it would be another big blow if they could take Alaba in January.

Bayern will not comply with the Austrian’s contractual demands and with a clash between the two sides, the versatile defender will leave for free next summer.

A good January offer from Liverpool could be too difficult for Bayern to resist. But then they’ll face huge paychecks that could potentially rock the boat at Anfield.

Conor Coady

Following Coady’s impressive display against Leeds last month, Jamie Carragher joked on Sky Sports that Liverpool wanted to sign the Wolves captain as a cover for Van Dijk.

Coady took it in stride and downplayed it, but the defender was a product of the Reds academy.

He left in 2014 to get into first-team football and has developed enormously, even breaking into the England team.

Despite signing a new five-year deal, the prospect of a homecoming might be too much to resist, although the Wolves would certainly ask a good price for their defensive leader.

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