Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says the club will try to sign a central defender before Monday’s transfer deadline.
The Reds are now set to react in the transfer market after their defensive issues worsened significantly this week.
Fabinho missed the 3-1 victory over Spurs with a muscle injury, while Joel Matip suffered ankle ligament damage and was substituted at half-time, leaving Klopp without all four of his first-choice centre-backs.
The Brazilian star will definitely miss Sunday’s trip to West Ham, while Matip underwent a scan on Friday and looks set to be out for a couple of weeks – though Klopp hinted that there was a chance the issue was not as serious as feared.
“Last night after the game I was pretty emotional just because at half-time the boys [are] sitting there,” he said. “Now, meanwhile, there are still glimpses of hope that it’s not serious.
“No, we don’t have the final result because the scan didn’t happen yet. So we [will] know more in three or four hours hopefully. “Fabinho [has] no chance for the weekend.”
Rhys Williams is another potential option, but Klopp has now confirmed they will look for a solution in the market in order to alleviate the pressure.
“I don’t know, but we will try,” he said. “We always try. It would be funny if you thought Liverpool were fine with the situation, that we don’t care or don’t try. We try, but as you know, there’s nothing to say until something happens. We will see.
“The situation yesterday didn’t make it easier but still we are trying to do the right things. If it’s possible then we will do it. If not, then not.”
Klopp added: “My thoughts didn’t change, my words might have!” he said. “Same situation as before. We work. When we don’t sleep, we work. We will see.
“Everything is long-term. OK, apart from if we bring a [loan] player for the next six months or whatever. I think I had one half-year contract, Steven Caulker [in 2016], yes? “It’s about a solution, and that’s what we are working on.”
Asked about the challenge of finding the right player, for the right price, Klopp said: “I’m not sure there’s an £80 million centre-back available in the moment. I know that this player, or this calibre, I’m not sure teams would want to sell them now.
“Of course, we need to find the right player. That’s clear. And it needs to suit our financial situation. That’s clear as well.”
