{"id":579496,"date":"2021-01-19T03:42:53","date_gmt":"2021-01-19T08:42:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/?p=579496"},"modified":"2021-01-19T03:42:53","modified_gmt":"2021-01-19T08:42:53","slug":"centre-back-situation-liverpool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/football\/2021\/01\/19\/centre-back-situation-liverpool\/","title":{"rendered":"The Centre-Back Situation at Liverpool"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you told a Liverpool<\/a> fan that they\u2019d see Nat Phillips<\/a> and Rhys Williams turn out in the Premier League on a regular basis they would\u2019ve quite literally laughed at you. When Liverpool lifted that elusive title last summer, Rhys Williams had just finished up his loan at Kidderminster Harriers<\/a> of non-league and Phillips was preparing for his departure from the club.<\/p>\n

But, due to the well-documented injury to Virgil van Dijk <\/a>and then the subsequent injury of his partner in crime Joe Gomez<\/a>, Liverpool were left with one senior centre-back in Joel Matip<\/a>, as well as the versatile Fabinho<\/a>. To be fair to Phillips and Williams, they\u2019ve done well when they\u2019ve played, but we are talking about the champions and to rely on a 19-year old and an inexperienced Phillips to guide you to your defence is not the way to try and retain a title.<\/p>\n

Liverpool Centre-Back Situation<\/h2>\n

Club Strategy<\/h3>\n

We are aware of the strategy the club takes in regard to transfers is one of long-term solutions rather than short-term fixes. It\u2019s a strategy that deserves its praise because it has brought the club success and, by the looks of it, the centre-back situation is no exception.<\/p>\n

According to Christian Falk<\/a>, the club are keen on RB Leipzig duo Ibrahima Konat\u00e9<\/a> and Dayot Upamecano<\/a>. But, the club are in a crisis and should be exploring loan options to give them a chance in the upcoming months of obtaining accolades.<\/p>\n

A Short-Term Fix<\/h3>\n

There have been certain players mentioned in terms of January switch to Merseyside. Sven Botman<\/a> was a rumoured target that was later dismissed<\/a> by local journalists. In recent day its believed that \u00c9der Militao<\/a> of Real Madrid is available on loan<\/a> with an option to buy.<\/p>\n

It’s yet to be confirmed or denied that Liverpool have a concrete interest. The 22-year-old Brazilian played against the Reds in the Champions League <\/a>and impressed many with his aerial prowess and calmness on the ball. He would later make a switch to \u2018Los Blancos\u2019 in the summer of 2019 for a fee in the region of \u20ac50 million.<\/p>\n

Solution Needed<\/h3>\n

If Liverpool want this season to be memorable and decorated with honours, they need to act before the deadline at the end of the month. They can\u2019t rely on an injury-prone Joel Matip or playing two central midfielders at the back like they\u2019ve done against Southampton<\/a> and now Manchester United<\/a>.<\/p>\n

It’s bad enough losing Fabinho or \u2018Flaco\u2019, as he’s been christened by teammates in midfield, but to lose Jordan Henderson by playing him there too is a big hit to Liverpool’s midfield.<\/p>\n

A centre-back is vital in this window.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Main Photo<\/p>\n

Embed from Getty Images<\/a>