Liverpool must ‘spring into action’ to seal new signing as fresh Jurgen Klopp quotes emerge – pundit
Noel Whelan has insisted Liverpool need a “short-term loan” in defence after Jurgen Klopp confirmed Virgil van Dijk will miss at least a “few weeks” of action.
The former Leeds striker, speaking exclusively to Football Insider, claimed the 31-year-old is sure to leave a “void” in an already “fragile” Reds rearguard.
Speaking to club media (6 January), Klopp confirmed the injury to Van Dijk is not “short-term” – and revealed he will be missing for “a few weeks, definitely”.
The Netherlands international was substituted at half-time after pulling up with a hamstring problem during the Reds’ 3-1 defeat away at Brentford on 2 January.
He had played 90 minutes in every league game this season but now looks set to miss a number of fixtures with Liverpool slipping away from their top-four rivals.
Klopp’s side now trail fourth-place Man United by seven points.
Whelan told Football Insider’s Ewan Kingsbury: “This whole defence is fragile, from the start of the season up to that last result against Brentford.
“But Van Dijk is not only their main centre-back, but he’s also their leader.
“This is probably something now that they need to look at.
“Klopp says a month – but it could be longer. If you’re missing Van Dijk for that long, it’s a real void. No one has the same quality as him.
“This might be something that could spring Liverpool into action, even if it’s a short-term loan this month.”
Joel Matip and Ibrahima Konate are the likely candidates to replace Van Dijk, with Joe Gomez also available to Klopp.
The Reds have already sealed the signing of forward Cody Gakpo in this month’s transfer window.
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