Liverpool could reportedly be forced into signing a defender in the January transfer window following the injury sustained by Joel Matip.
The 32-year-old was forced off midway through the second half of Liverpool's 4-3 win over Fulham in the Premier League last weekend, and manager Jurgen Klopp initially expressed his concern over the injury.
Matip then missed the Reds' 2-0 victory at Sheffield United on Wednesday, and after the match, Klopp confirmed that the Cameroonian has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament which will likely rule the defender out for the rest of the season.
The experienced centre-back, who has made over 200 appearances for Liverpool since joining on a free transfer in 2016, may have played his final game for the club as his contract is due to expire in June 2024.
Liverpool are now light in the centre-back department, with Ibrahima Konate – who has had his own injury troubles this season – competing with captain Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and 20-year-old Jarell Quansah for a place in Klopp's starting lineup.
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Van Dijk has unsurprisingly played the most out of the defensive quartet so far this season, starting 13 matches in the Premier League and once in the Europa League.
Konate and Gomez have started nine games apiece across the Premier League and Europa League, while Quansah has started only six times across all tournaments since making his senior debut in August.
With Liverpool still competing in four different competitions this season, the Daily Mail claims that Klopp could delve into the winter-window market for a new defender, contrary to previous reports.
The Reds are also having to cope without a number of other injured players at present including Andrew Robertson (shoulder), Thiago Alcantara (hip), Alisson Becker (thigh), Diogo Jota (muscle) and Stefan Bajcetic (calf), while Alexis Mac Allister lipped off in the win over Sheffield United with a knee issue.
The packed treatment room further emphasises the need for Liverpool to assess their options going forward if they wish to give themselves the best possible chance of competing on all fronts.
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Liverpool are understood to hold an interest in Sao Paulo defender Lucas Beraldo and they allegedly sent a delegation to Brazil to open talks with the 20-year-old.
The Reds have since been handed a boost in their pursuit of Beraldo, as 90min claims that Sao Paulo are willing to listen to offers for the highly-rated defender.
Bayer Leverkusen's Piero Hincapie is also on Liverpool radar, with the player's agent revealing earlier this year that the Reds are set to enter talks with the German club to negotiate a proposed January move to Anfield for the Ecuadorian.
Another defender who has been linked with Liverpool is Bournemouth's Lloyd Kelly, who is facing an uncertain future with the Cherries as he has just six months remaining on his contract.
Oliver Thomas
