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Peter Crouch outlines what is ‘key’ for Liverpool in January transfer window

Will Butcher

Thu 31 December 2020 10:28, UK

that it is “key” for Liverpool to sign a central defender in the January transfer window, claiming Liverpool have identified certain targets and will be working “behind the scenes”.

Liverpool struggled to another point on Wednesday night as they failed to overcome another Premier League side. Newcastle held Liverpool to their first goalless 90 minutes, after dropping points against Fulham and West Brom recently.

Fabinho lined-up alongside Nat Phillips at centre-back as Jurgen Klopp fielded another makeshift defence – with Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez all injured. Dejan Lovren left the club in the summer to join Russian outfit Zenit St. Petersburg.

Ex-Liverpool striker Crouch has urged Liverpool to sign a central defender in the January window. They have been linked with numerous players including Brighton defender Ben White, and Crouch thinks things are going on off the pitch.

“I think what is key is getting a centre-half in, in January,” “I think they’ve identified people, behind the scenes they will be working on that. They can’t rely on the young lads and a midfielder at centre-half.”

TBR’s view – What happens when Liverpool trio return to fitness?

The problem when buying players to replace injuries is that when those injured players to return, the new signing inevitably drops out of the starting line-up and is forced to watch on from the sidelines.

Look at Wolves. They need a striker with Raul Jimenez sidelined, but when the Mexican returns – any potential new striker will have to drop to the bench. It is tricky convincing a player to join when Gomez and van Dijk will return by the end of the season.

Liverpool should look to bring in a defender that is not the cream of crop, but one that is a good option – and also happy with sitting on the bench as cover when van Dijk and Gomez return. Easier said than done.