Liverpool are down to the bare-bones in defence after injuries to Joel Matip and Joe Gomez… but what options does Jurgen Klopp have to fill the void over the busy festive period?
- Liverpool have been rocked by two recent injuries to key defensive players
- Joe Gomez and Joel Matip are expected to miss most of the festive fixtures
- That has left Jurgen Klopp with only Dejan Lovren and Virgil van Dijk as options
- Nat Phillips and Conor Masterson are youth options available to the German
Liverpool were dealt a major injury blow on Wednesday when it was announced that Joel Matip will be out for six weeks with a broken collarbone suffered in the Champions League win over Napoli.
The Cameroon centre back could miss as many as 10 games during the busiest period of the season and will need surgery after his collision with Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly.
The blow could not have come at a worse time for manager Jurgen Klopp, who last week saw Joe Gomez ruled out for six weeks. The England defender broke his left leg in a 3-1 win at Burnley but does not need surgery.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has been rocked by injuries to Joe Gomez and Joel Matip recently
Those injuries have left Liverpool extremely short of central defensive options with Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren as the only two fit first team players in that position.
Liverpool face Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City in their six games between now and January 7 as well as Newcastle and two trips to Wolves.
As the games start to come thick and fast, Klopp may have to turn to two highly-regarded youth players to step into the fray or call one of his senior stars to adapt to a new position.
Nat Phillips won a lot of plaudits during pre-season when he was given a lot of first team opportunities.
An injury to Lovren after the World Cup ensured Phillips was a focal part of Klopp’s plans on their summer tour of the United States and final friendlies on home soil.
Nat Phillips won plaudits during pre-season when he was given a lot of first team chances
Conor Masterson was on the bench for last season’s European game with Manchester City
After joining from Bolton in 2016, he appeared in all nine of their friendly matches, and staff were said to be impressed by the way he handled the step up in class.
There was no place for him on the bench in the first few weeks of the season though as he dropped down to the Under-23s and has since made six appearances.
Another option from the youth ranks would be Conor Masterson.
The Republic of Ireland youth international made his Under-18s debut in 2014-15 after moving from Dublin-based side Lucan United.
He was included in the first-team squad for the FA Cup third round tie with Exeter City by Klopp in January 2016, and was an unused substitute.
Masterson trained with the first team towards the back end of last season and was named on the bench for the Champions League quarter-final first leg against Manchester City at Anfield.
Fabinho was a right back by trade at Monaco initially and could be used in the heart of defence
Gini Wijnaldum has been used at centre back before by Klopp, in last season’s win at Brighton
While Klopp could delve into the youth ranks for a recognised centre back, he does also have the option of makeshift defenders in Fabinho and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Before being moved into midfield at Monaco, Fabinho was a right back by trade and his imposing figure, ability on the ball and mobility makes him an attractive option.
Despite his box-to-box energy in midfield, Wijnaldum has been used at centre back before by Klopp. The Dutchman played in a defensive trio alongside Lovren at Emre Can at Brighton last season.
Wijnaldum impressed as the Reds ran out comfortable 5-1 winners over Chris Hughton’s side at the Amex.