Steven Caulker in brilliant response to talk of second Liverpool loan SOS

Steven Caulker

Former Liverpool loanee Steven Caulker has issued an amusing response to claims he could return to Anfield to ease their central defensive crisis.

With Virgil van Dijk facing the season out with a torn ACL, and Joel Matip and Fabinho nursing injuries, Liverpool could ill afford any more bad news.

But that’s exactly what happened with Joe Gomez suffering a knee injury while on England duty.

The 23-year-old centre-back suffered the injury in a training session at St George’s Park.

He has pulled out of the squad to face the Republic of Ireland, Belgium and Iceland. He has since returned to his club for further diagnosis.

The initial diagnosis does not look good after goalkeeper Nick Pope described in detail exactly what happened.

The likely long-term absence of Gomez will mean Liverpool will have to dip into the January transfer market.

A host of big names have been linked, with three Bundesliga defenders reportedly on their radar.

 

However, one man who some supporters who have jokingly suggested should come in, is Caulker.

Caulker joined the Reds on loan to help ease a defensive crisis during Jurgen Klopp’s first season in charge.

The one-time capped England defender moved to Anfield in January 2016 and featured three times as a sub. He then played the full 90 minutes of the home FA Cup tie with West Ham; his final outing for the Reds.

Caulker, though, is best remembered for his late contribution in a thrilling match at Norwich City. Having been brought on as an 89th minute sub, he joined the attack and assisted Adam Lallana’s dramatic 95th-minute winner. The goal earned a remarkable 5-4 triumph and sparked wild scenes on the touchline.

And the defender, who is still only 28, could not resist referencing the incident when responding to a cheeky tweet from Goal.

In reference to Liverpool’s defensive crisis, Goal jokingly implored Klopp to “bring him home”.

Replying to the tweet, Caulker said: “I’m only coming back if I’m playing up front! #YNWA”

The former Spurs and QPR man currently plays in Turkey with Alanyaspor, where he has been since 2019.

 


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Redknapp fears for Liverpool in transfer market

Liverpool, meanwhile, could find themselves having to pay over the odds for a new centre-half in January with other teams ‘smelling their desperation’.

That’s the verdict of Jamie Redknapp, who feels it is now certain his former side will splash the cash on a new defender.

“It’s a difficult one. I’ve heard people say that they’ve got to go out and get a really big signing because Virgil is going to be injured,” he said.

“You don’t want to bring in someone for the sake of it for £40m or £50m. More so when you know you’ve got someone coming back really quickly.

“But if you’ve lost Gomez as well, you’re certainly looking to get into the market. They may try and bring in someone in January.

“Be it a loan, be it a signing – but it’s not going to be easy to get players in.

“Your hands are tied to a certain extent because straight away. Everyone knows you’re desperate so the prices are going to get inflated.”

 

EXCLUSIVE: Liverpool considering move for Dutch defensive star after glowing Gini Wijnaldum reference