Liverpool have one fit centre-back in Kolo Toure - so who could they bring in to solve their problems?
Last night’s Capital One Cup semi-final victory over Stoke came at a costly price, with the loss of Dejan Lovren to a hamstring injury.
The Croatian defender limped off on the half hour mark, just 16 minutes after Phillipe Coutinho had left in a similar manner.
Insult was added to injury when Kolo Toure looked be struggling in the final minutes of the game, but Klopp offered reassurance that the Ivorian was merely suffering from cramp.
Lovren joins fellow defenders Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho on the sidelines, with Toure the only senior centre-back left standing.
Despite Lucas Leiva’s spirited performance filling in at the heart of the defence, Liverpool may be forced to dip into the transfer market to bridge the gap until the expected return of Sakho and Skrtel in February.
It is believed Liverpool are likelier to pursue a loan deal.
Here are the seven defenders Liverpool could look to for cover at the back – whether on loan or looking more long-term.
LOAN DEALS
Felipe Santana
The Schalke man was not handed a squad number at the start of the season after his move to Koln fell through because of a failed medical.
Not the best sign when hoping to sign an injury-free player, perhaps, with the Brazilian not featuring at all for the Bundesliga side this season.
However, he enjoyed five seasons under Klopp at Borussia Dortmund, making 92 league appearances, before crossing over to their bitter rivals. He also scored the vital winner in the Champions League quarter final against Malaga in 2013.
Neven Subotic
Klopp could be reunited with the 27-year-old Serb who has only made four appearances in all competitions in the first half of the season.
Subotic is contracted until 2018, but has slid down the pecking order at Dortmund, with midfielder-by-trade Sven Bender being preferred in central defence.
The undeniably talented Budesliga winner may welcome a move to Merseyside and the promise of first team football.
Andrea Ranocchia
Reports in Italy have linked Liverpool with a temporary deal for the Inter Milan centre-back, who has been with the club since 2011.
An Italian international, Ranocchia is a strong, physical defender whose biggest asset is his aerial prowess – though he does lack pace.
The 27-year-old has featured 10 times in the league this season, but has started just one of those games.
Martin Caceres
He comes from Uruguay and plays in Serie A. What more could Klopp want?
Caceres has found himself out of favour at Juventus this season, making just three league appearances – albeit with a few injuries (that word again) thrown in there.
The 27-year-old international would bring a wealth of experience, and also has the versatility to play at full back, too.
LONGER TERM
Joel Matip
The Reds want the Schalke defender on a free transfer this summer, but there has been suggestions of an early deal being struck.
The Cameroon international has made over 200 appearances for the German side, but is out of contract at the end of the season.
Liverpool may be forced into paying for the 24-year-old in January to fill the gap at the back, but Schalke could be reluctant to let him go before the summer.
Scott Dann
The Crystal Palace defender is a Liverpool fan himself and has been linked with a move to a top Premier League team since impressing at Blackburn.
Dann has had an outstanding first half of the season in south London and is likely to be on the wish-lists of many managers.
Despite the 6’2” centre-half being a supporter, he may not be interested in a move to Anfield from the high-flying Eagles in January.
ONE ALREADY AT ANFIELD
Daniel Cleary
Cleary has been at Liverpool’s academy since the age of 11 and was included in the squad’s pre-season tour of Bangkok, Brisbane, Adelaide and Malaysia.
Although the 19-year-old Irishman has turned out regularly for the U21 side, it is unclear whether he is ready to make the step up to the Premier League.
Cleary is currently injured, however, and is unable to help in the short term.
Despite being a good prospect, Klopp is more likely to invest in an experienced centre-half who can slot into the side immediately and command the defensive line.
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