Jurgen Klopp confirms Liverpool transfer plan after new Fabinho and Matip injury update
Posted Saturday, January 30, 2021 by Express.co.uk
Liverpool are lacking numbers at the heart of defence following an injury crisis.
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has confirmed that Fabinho will miss this Sunday's trip to West Ham and the Premier League champions are now in the market for a centre-back, after losing Joel Matip to an ankle problem. The Reds will return to London this weekend following last night's impressive 3-1 win on the road at Tottenham.
The Brazilian was forced to sit out of clash due to a muscle injury.
While Fabinho is not in pain, Klopp believes his makeshift defender needs to rest up to avoid aggravating the problem.
Supporters feared the worst yesterday morning when Fabinho was not spotted as part of the group that trained at Leyton Orient's Brisbane Road ahead of the match with Tottenham.
Matip is also expected to miss around three to four weeks with an ankle injury picked up in the first half last night.
Jurgen Klopp has finally confirmed Liverpool are looking for a centre-back (Image: GETTY)
He was forced off at half-time and Klopp initially claimed that he feared the injury was serious.
"There's a glimmer of hope with Joel that isn't as serious," Klopp said. "We will know more in three or four hours."
Before adding on the former Monaco man: "Fabinho has no chance for the weekend."
Klopp did confirm that the club are now actively exploring the transfer market for solutions, although he was keen to remain coy on the prospect of signing the right profile, in order to manage expectations.
He added: "We will try. But there's nothing to say until something happens."
The German also hinted after last night's comfortable victory that the Reds have changed their transfer stance.
"I'm not sure there's an £80million centre-back available at the moment," he said.
"We need to find the right player and it needs to suit our financial situation as well."
Jordan Henderson is set to stay at centre-back with Nat Phillips expected to return to the starting XI this weekend.
Liverpool will be without Joel Matip and Fabinho this weekend at West Ham (Image: GETTY)
His aerial presence could prove handy in the quest to nullify the threat of West Ham's in form wrecking ball Tomas Soucek.
Arsenal will listen to offers for Shkodran Mustafi before the window closes on Monday night at 11pm.
The Gunners have tried to negotiate a mutual termination of his current deal in north London.
Lille's Sven Botman is also a player Liverpool have been keeping close tabs on but he is expected to cost over £30million.
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