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Liverpool dealt an injury double-hit with Fabinho ruled out for the Spurs clash due to a ‘minor muscle problem’ and Joel Matip was forced to leave at halftime when Rio Ferdinand insists the champions are ‘sacrificing their season ” by not signing a new center-back this month.
- Fabinho missed Liverpool’s Tottenham clash due to ‘minor muscle problem’
- The defensive midfielder has been an impromptu central defender for the Reds due to injuries
- In his absence, Joel Matip and improvised defender Jordan Henderson began
- However, center-back Matip was forced to retire due to an injury during the break.
Liverpool’s problems at the heart of their defense have continued with improvised center-back Fabinho now injured, while center-back Joel Matip was forced to retire at half-time from his Premier League trip to Tottenham.
Defensive midfielder Fabinho has been brilliantly replacing as a central defender for the Reds with Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Matip who have missed much of the season due to injuries. Van Dijk and Gomez are still on the sidelines, while Matip’s status is unknown after he was forced to retire at halftime of Thursday night’s game at Tottenham due to injury.
Jurgen Klopp’s side traveled to the top four Spurs rivals in the Premier League on Thursday and was hit before kickoff by Fabinho’s absence due to a “minor muscle problem”.
Fabinho was ruled out of Liverpool’s trip to Tottenham due to a ‘minor muscle problem’
Fabinho has performed brilliantly as a makeshift central defender for Liverpool this season.
Joe Gomez (left) and Virgil van Dijk are two long-term injury absentees for Liverpool today
Joel Matip (left) and Jordan Henderson started as center back for Liverpool’s trip to Tottenham.
However, the defending Premier League champions were bolstered by the return of Matip, who was selected to line up as a central defender alongside improvised defender and captain Jordan Henderson. However, that positive turned negative during the halftime break, as Nat Phillips replaced the affected Matip.
The Matip-Henderson combination was the 11th different association Klopp has used in the top flight this season, highlighting his problems at the position.
Speaking about Fabinho’s injury, Klopp played it down before the game: “He felt something and now he’s out. It’s not an intense situation, but it’s how things happen. ‘
Following news of the 27-year-old Brazilian’s absence, BT Sport expert Rio Ferdinand found it disconcerting that Liverpool had not addressed the issue in the January transfer market and that they are “ sacrificing their season ” as players. like the central youth. Phillips and Rhys Williams are not ready.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp played down Fabinho’s previous match as ‘not an intense situation’
‘We were all sitting here before the show and we said you think they would go to the market [and buy someone]. Is it the people who own the club’s decision or is it Klopp’s? he questioned before kick-off.
“They are weak in the back and now in the midfield because they are playing defense. There is a large void in the back.
‘[If they don’t sign anyone] That means they want to sacrifice their season on the inexperience of Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams. ‘
His thoughts were repeated by Sportsmail columnist Peter Crouch, who was also an expert on the BT Sport study on Thursday night.
Rio Ferdinand says Liverpool are ‘sacrificing their season’ if they don’t sign a central defender
Ferdinand believes players like Rhys Williams aren’t ready to start in the Reds center
“I can’t understand why they haven’t gone for a center-back and haven’t gotten a replacement until the big boys come back,” he said.
“The recruitment in Liverpool is usually so good so I’m confused why they don’t have it.”
However, fellow expert Jermaine Jenas took a more long-term approach to the Anfield team’s plight.
“You would look at his team and think that Klopp would look for a remedy, but with two injured, he would be happy with Fabinho and Matip replacing as City did with Ruben Dias,” he said.
“Maybe Liverpool have an eye on someone and want to wait.
‘They have yet to find that gem in January and everyone wants it.
“Chelsea are in the market for the central halves, so it shows that everyone needs people in the back.”
Jenas’ opinion prompted Ferdinand and Crouch to jokingly respond, emphasizing that Liverpool need to do business before the January transfer window closes on Monday.
‘I’m not saying I’m going to get them now, but you need a remedy now to fill that void. Or you play two inexperienced defenders, ”Ferdinand said.
This view was endorsed by Crouch, who added: “It takes a lot from advocates coming up and a remedy is exactly what they need.”
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