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Report: Klopp’s adamant 23-year-old’s good enough for Liverpool with transfer decision made

Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images
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Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images

Jurgen Klopp has no plans to exploit the loan market in January despite Liverpool’s centre-back crisis, the Daily Mail reports.

Joel Matip picked up an injury at the weekend, while Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk are both out for the long-term.

It means that Liverpool’s centre-back options are now severely depleted, with the Reds reliant on youngsters Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams.

Phillips and Williams are set for a run of games in the coming weeks, and even though the transfer window is set to open in just a matter of days, Liverpool are not planning to rush out and buy a centre-back.

The Mail report that Klopp is adamant that 23-year-old Phillips and Williams are good enough to step into Liverpool’s team and perform.

Nathaniel Phillips of Liverpool during the FA Cup Third Round match between Liverpool and Everton at Anfield on January 5, 2020 in Liverpool, England. (Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

The German boss would apparently prefer to back his squad to cope with their current injury crisis, rather than bring in a new player, who does not know the system.

That could be a risk, as if Liverpool do suffer even one more injury in central defence then they really could have to name a makeshift backline in future matches.

But Phillips and Williams will surely be boosted by Klopp’s faith in them, and it will now be up to them to prove their manager correct on the pitch in the coming weeks.