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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp urged to complete new signing on January 1 to save season
Liverpool have been urged to rush through a defensive signing as soon as possible.
Liverpool: Klopp reacts to Fabinho injury in Midtjylland victory
Liverpool must sign a new centre-back as soon as the January transfer window opens, according to former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson. Liverpool are set to be without Virgil van Dijk for the majority of this season after he suffered an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury in the 2-2 Merseyside derby draw against Everton earlier this month.
Joel Matip is also out after picking up a knock in the same game and Fabinho suffered a hamstring injury in the Champions League win over FC Midtjylland on Tuesday.
That leaves Joe Gomez as the only senior centre-back currently available to Jurgen Klopp.
Rhys Williams performed admirably when he came on as a substitute against Midtjylland.
However, the 19-year-old is yet to appear in the Premier League.
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Robinson says it is a necessity for Klopp to bolster his defensive resources in January.
And he claims it is important a deal is completed as soon as possible.
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"They can't afford any more injuries in that position," Robinson told Sky Sports News.
"Come January, they are going to have to recruit, they are going to have to sign somebody because they are without Van Dijk for so long.
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"It can't be a scenario where you get to the end of January and Liverpool are still being linked with this centre-half or that centre-half, they have to have their business ready.
"They have to do it very, very early on, i.e. the first day of the window and they have to be ready with a readymade replacement or reinforcements if you like."
Speaking after Tuesday's victory, Klopp said Fabinho's injury was the last thing his team needed.
"[Losing Fabinho is] exactly the last thing that we needed," Klopp said.
"I don't know. He felt his hamstring and that is not good. He said 'I could have played on but no sprints any more'. That is not good. We shall see."
"Losing Fabinho in the first half, Rhys Williams he's only 19-years old and I think he's played more Champions League games than Premier League games - that's rare.
"We're doing really well but it's a shock for a team because now we have to sort that injury.
"It was a tough night. It's a bit like in a marriage, there are good and bad times.
"It's not a bad time but it's a tricky time. 100 per cent we have to stick together and fight harder and that's what the boys did tonight."
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