Arsenal legend Charlie Nicholas has slammed Jurgen Klopp's failure to strengthen during the January transfer window.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Wednesday, Nicholas claimed that Liverpool are still lacking in defence, and expressed surprise at Klopp's apparent refusal to address this issue. He explained:
“Liverpool are not good enough defensively to...finish [in the] top four. That would be a shocker for them. A club of Liverpool's stature should have added someone on loan. Jurgen Klopp's taken a massive risk. He could have gone abroad and got some defensive protection in."
This is the same argument many Liverpool fans have been making for months. The Matip/Lovren partnership has promise, but injury has continually disrupted the duo's development momentum, and when Matip or Lovren are missing, the squad - bar Klavan - lacks experienced, top-quality cover.
If Liverpool qualify for Europe this season, there's surely no way the Reds can go into the new campaign with Lucas as a back-up central defender. The Brazilian does his best, but he's not a dedicated centre-half, and that shows sometimes. Klavan is a good back-up option, and to his credit, he's been solid for much of the season. Even with Klavan, though, Liverpool will need at least one more top quality centre-back for next season, as well as a left-back.
Whether Klopp agrees, though, remains to be seen. He may feel that Joe Gomez's presence in the squad negates the need for central defensive reinforcements, but relying on a player with practically zero top level solution is a risky strategy.
Speaking to Sky Sports on Wednesday, Nicholas claimed that Liverpool are still lacking in defence, and expressed surprise at Klopp's apparent refusal to address this issue. He explained:
“Liverpool are not good enough defensively to...finish [in the] top four. That would be a shocker for them. A club of Liverpool's stature should have added someone on loan. Jurgen Klopp's taken a massive risk. He could have gone abroad and got some defensive protection in."
This is the same argument many Liverpool fans have been making for months. The Matip/Lovren partnership has promise, but injury has continually disrupted the duo's development momentum, and when Matip or Lovren are missing, the squad - bar Klavan - lacks experienced, top-quality cover.
If Liverpool qualify for Europe this season, there's surely no way the Reds can go into the new campaign with Lucas as a back-up central defender. The Brazilian does his best, but he's not a dedicated centre-half, and that shows sometimes. Klavan is a good back-up option, and to his credit, he's been solid for much of the season. Even with Klavan, though, Liverpool will need at least one more top quality centre-back for next season, as well as a left-back.
Whether Klopp agrees, though, remains to be seen. He may feel that Joe Gomez's presence in the squad negates the need for central defensive reinforcements, but relying on a player with practically zero top level solution is a risky strategy.
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