Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool defender signing 'if possible' after Matip injury

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has said throughout January he does not expect to sign a defender, but with the transfer window closing on Monday and his injury crisis going from bad to worse, he could yet be forced into a rethink.

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have been long-term absentees, while makeshift centre-back Fabinho missed the 3-1 win at Spurs with a minor muscle injury.

The Reds then lost Joel Matip, who partnered midfielder Jordan Henderson in defence, with an ankle injury.

"There is still glimpses of hope it is not that serious," Klopp said of Matip's injury, adding he hopes to find out more later on Monday.

Nathaniel Phillips, 23, replaced Matip at half-time while 19-year-old Rhys Williams has also featured for Liverpool this season.

So will Klopp be forced to act?

Speaking after Thursday's win, he told BT Sport: "If you have a centre-half available at a reasonable price, and one with the quality we need, then send me a message."

But on Friday, Klopp appeared to strengthen is resolve to find a new centre-back, saying: "Look, I don't know. But we will try.

"It is funny when you all think 'oh Liverpool will be just fine with the situation and they don't care or try'. We try but there is nothing to say until something happens.

"We will see. The situation yesterday didn't make it easier but we still try to do the right things. If that's possible, we will do it. If not, we won't."

Asked whether an attempt to sign a centre-back has stepped up, he added: "My thoughts didn't change but my words might have. That's probably my English. Same situation as before. We work always on this.

"We thought [about making signings] and we think the whole time but it's about doing the right thing. We need to find the right player. It's incredible what's happening in the defensive line."

Analysis

Chief football writer Phil McNulty

For the first time in a very long time there were questions around Liverpool.

A loss in north London would not have ended their ambitions to retain the title but the notion of being seven points behind an increasingly ominous-looking Manchester City, having played a game more, would have presented a colossal challenge.

As it was, Liverpool overcame even more central defensive injury complications to run out very comfortable winners, leaving Klopp understandably overjoyed.

Read more from Phil here

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