It has been a damaging start to the season for last season’s champions, as they face the prospect of going large spells of the season without a number of key defensive players.
The biggest loss undoubtedly came in the Merseyside derby, as the Reds lost Virgil van Dijk after a nasty challenge from Jordan Pickford.
Those injury problems have shown no sign of slowing down, as Fabinho limped off against Ajax in the Champions League and Trent Alexander-Arnold was taken off with a calf problem against Manchester City.
Jurgen Klopp could hardly believe his luck this week when it was revealed that Joe Gomez had been injured during England training. The knee injury that the central defender has picked up could leave him out until the end of the season.
At present, Joel Matip is the only first-team defender that is fit, which could mean Klopp will be forced to enter the transfer market in January to bring in re-enforcements. So, who could he target?
One of the best options available to Liverpool in the winter may be Wolves defender Conor Coady. The defender has established himself as one of the best defenders in the Premier League, and the 27-year-old would likely be open to a return to Anfield as he is a boyhood Liverpool fan.
Coady played for the youth team at Anfield between 2005 and 2011, but only made one appearance for the club after signing his first professional deal.
He has played his best football with Wolves since signing for the club in 2015. Wolves will be unlikely to part with their club captain, especially considering that Coady recently signed a fresh five-year deal with the club.
Nonetheless, he has the skills that Liverpool will be looking for in a defender, as he has averaged 1.5 tackles per game in the Premier League this season, as well as averaging 2.4 clearances per game.
Will we see Diogo Jota reuniting with his former teammate in Anfield?
James Tarkowski is another player that will be high in demand this winter, as clubs will be circling to make their move for the 27-year-old. Burnley may be open to selling the central defender to avoid losing him on a free at the end of the season.
Reports this week have claimed that Tarkowski will not be signing a new deal at Turf Moor regardless of the figures on the deal, which means that a deal with Liverpool could be struck.
He has been an essential defender for Burnley ever since they were promoted back into the Premier League, and he has once again been a standout player this season despite the Clarets struggles.
Tarkowski has averaged 5.4 winning aerial duals per match, despite being only 1.85m (by comparison Van Dijk height is 1.93m).
Plus, he averages two tackles per match in the Premier League. It may not be the most glamorous of signings, but Tarkowski is a player that ticks a lot of boxes for Liverpool.
Dayot Upamecano is one of the hottest properties in European football, and should Liverpool be looking to break the bank to bring in an established defender that will be able to compete for a starting position for years to come, then there aren’t many better options.
Upamecano reportedly has a £45 million release clause in his deal, which looks like a bargain considering the huge potential of the Frenchman.
He has been an essential player once again this season for RB Leipzig, as he has averaged 1.8 winning aerial duals and 1.2 tackles per game in the Bundesliga this season.
Dayot has also played in the Champions League for the past two seasons, which will also be a big factor that Liverpool will be taking into consideration before signing a new defender.
Here you have, 3 defenders that Liverpool should sign for and that wouldn’t break their savings. Just like taking an early gamble on the Kentucky Derby odds, do not be surprised to see a dark horse coming on in January that nobody saw coming.
So, who did we miss? Who would you recommend?
