Pundit would be ‘surprised’ if Liverpool didn’t make signing this month
Danny Murphy says he would be “surprised” if Liverpool did not make a move for a defender in the January transfer market.
Murphy thinks it’s imperative that Jurgen Klopp adds to his options and strengthens a defence that “is not right”.
Injuries to Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have left them threadbare at centre-back.
Jordan Henderson, who is now injured, has been forced to partner Fabinho such have Jurgen Klopp’s options been limited.
Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips have also been asked to fill in on the big stage and Murphy believes the squad needs a “boost”.
The champions have won just once in seven matches and that was against a young Aston Villa side in the FA Cup.
Klopp has continued to play down their predicament, but Murphy is convinced they need to address the situation before the window closes at 11pm on February 1.
Murphy told talkSPORT: “The small area of concern is the lack of transfer activity when they’re so desperately in need.
“I don’t think you should go out and buy for the sake of it. If you can’t get the ones you want in then you don’t do it.
“Defensively they’re not right, are they? That’s for sure. I know they’re not scoring, but you could see [against Man Utd in the FA Cup] defensively they’re not right when [Joel] Matip isn’t there.
“So I hope for everybody’s sake they do something in the last few days of the window, give everyone a boost and then a decent result at Tottenham [on Thursday] can get them back on track.
“It’s a difficult time for them. It’s a weird season. There’s one thing for sure, Jurgen Klopp’s got plenty in the bank. I don’t mean money, I mean credit.”
The German coach has explained that the Covid-19 pandemic has hit the club financially. And there has been no suggestion from owners FSG that they are ready to back Klopp this month.
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How fit can Matip stay?
Asked if he expects a new defender to arrive before Monday’s deadline, Murphy said: “I would really hope so. I’d be really surprised if nothing happened.
“I still think he (Klopp) will be confident enough of getting top four with the attacking prowess they’ve got because those players are top class.
“Just because they’re having a little dip, that [quality] will come back. I’m not worried about goalscoring. He’ll believe they’ll get top four, but that’s not good enough now.
“Liverpool are way above that in terms of where they want to be and expectations and what the fans desire.
“If they don’t sign a defender, how fit can Matip stay with all the games? They’ll need [Jordan] Henderson and Matip fit, if they get those two fit they’ll be alright.”