Liverpool suffer defensive blow as free agent target finds new home

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Liverpool have been dealt a blow to their hopes of adding to their beleagured back line after free agent defender Sokratis Papastathopoulos joined Greek giants Olympiakos.

The Reds have seen their defensive options hugely impacted this season after serious injuries to Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez. Jurgen Klopp has also been further frustrated by Joel Matip’s ongoing injury problems.

Indeed, their lack of options there has led to Jamie Carragher suggesting they face a huge fight to finish in the top four.

Fabinho has been forced to fill in at the back, with Jordan Henderson too often called upon.

However, Henderson’s absence, together with Matip’s failure to even make the squad, leaves Klopp with a problem. Spending their way out of trouble this month has already been ruled out by owners FSG, Klopp has confirmed.

But the chance to sign players on a free has not been ruled out, with Sokratis emerging as an option.

The 32-year-old was released by Arsenal last week, despite still having six months to run on his contract.

That left Sokratis free to join another club. But he has now headed back to his native Greece to join Olympiakos.

The experienced defender has signed a contract until the summer of 2023.

It now remains to be whether Klopp will look to bring in reinforcements before the window shuts on February 1.

Derby youngster on Liverpool radar

Derby County’s 16-year-old midfielder Kaide Gordon could become the latest talented teenager to be snapped up by Liverpool.

Kaide Gordon

Liverpool signed Calum Scanlon, 15, from Birmingham City last month, before adding Stefan Bajcetic, 16, from Celta Vigo.

Now their are in talks with Derby for Gordon, according to the Derby Telegraph.

In fact the Liverpool Echo claims the club have an initial £1m bid lodged with the Championship side.

If Liverpool can persuade the midfielder to swap Derby for Liverpool then the add-ons could take the deal up to £3m.

According to the Echo, Manchester United and Tottenham are also interested in the player. Read more…

 

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