Liverpool surely need to make a new centre-back a top priority target for the January transfer window after the news of Virgil van Dijk’s long-term injury.
The Netherlands international is one of the very best players in the world on his day, and one of the most important in Jurgen Klopp’s squad after a leading role in their recent success.
MORE: Two positive injury updates for Liverpool amid awful Virgil van Dijk news
Losing Van Dijk for such a long time is bound to hurt Liverpool, and it’s going to be extremely difficult for them to retain their Premier League title without bringing someone in as cover this winter.
Luckily, the season started a little later this year so there isn’t too long to wait until the next transfer window, so Liverpool can start planning their next moves already.
Here’s our look at five central defenders who could be ideal for the Reds this January…
Kalidou Koulibaly
After Van Dijk, many would probably argue that Kalidou Koulibaly is the second best centre-back in world football right now. The Senegal international has been rock solid for Napoli for many years and could be a terrific addition to this Liverpool squad.
It could be ambitious trying to get Napoli to sell one of their most important players in the middle of the season, but Koulibaly could make all the difference to Liverpool’s title bid if they can strike a deal.
Even after Van Dijk returns, Koulibaly could form a fine partnership with the Dutchman and might be a better long-term option than injury-prone pair Joe Gomez and Joel Matip.
Dayot Upamecano
One of the finest young defenders in the world, Dayot Upamecano is sure to head to a big club sooner or later, so Liverpool might want to get in there first this January.
The 21-year-old would not only be ideal cover for Van Dijk while he’s out injured, but he could ensure the Merseyside giants have the perfect long-term successor to former Southampton man on their books.
RB Leipzig have lost a number of their best players to bigger clubs in recent times, so there may be a realistic chance for LFC to become the latest to take advantage of that.
Milan Skriniar
Another rock solid star from Serie A, Milan Skriniar could surely be worth considering for Liverpool in their hour of need.
The Slovakia international looks ideally suited to Premier League football and was linked strongly with Tottenham by the Daily Mirror towards the end of the summer.
That move may not have worked out, but Liverpool may surely be realistic suitors for Skriniar when the transfer window opens up again.
Pau Torres
A fine young defender catching the eye in La Liga, Pau Torres is another player who could do a job for Liverpool.
The Villarreal centre-back will surely make the step up to a bigger club at some point, and Liverpool would do well to move for him quickly this winter before someone else snaps him up.
The Spain international, like Upamecano, is also one for the future and could eventually be the successor to Van Dijk as a leader at the back for Klopp’s side.
Declan Rice
Finally, could Liverpool enter the running for West Ham star Declan Rice after such strong links with Chelsea for so long?
As shown in the tweet below, the Blues were said to be lining up a bid for Rice in the summer, with Frank Lampard wanting him to play as a centre-back.
Rice seems best as a defensive midfielder, but LFC would surely take him this January, especially if it meant beating a major rival to his signature.