24 Dec 2020 09:16:23
Morning all
So lovren left in the last transfer window which left us with only 3 recognise CB. VVD got injured back in October Gomez injured a few later. we were all desperate to get to the next window to fix the problem. And now we are a week away from the window opening again. Do we stick or twist! have we found anyone who is good enough and we can afford. The club have had long enough to fix it if they wa.

24 Dec 2020 09:57:01
Longthing I think you answered your own question mate. If find allow it will all depended on whether Klopp and the transfer team have found anyone who is good enough that will determine whether we stick or twist. For me back in Oct / Nov I would have said 100% we need a new centre half. Fab has been a revelation there and despite Matip not being available every game on the plus he’s also not been unavailable every game also. Phillips and Williams have also stepped up and done well. For me though it could only take one big injury to Fab or Matip and then we could be in trouble. Fans will say we don’t need another centre half but the truth is Klopp was looking for one In the summer long before the Vvd and Gomez injuries.

24 Dec 2020 10:27:18
Its time to twist. If affordable a new cb would be great. The one chink in our armour this season is cb due to the injuries and klopp did want a new one anyways.

24 Dec 2020 11:06:16
Phillips has only played one game (he did pretty well tbf) and Klopp seems to prefer Rhys Williams (who is positionally very average) . I really would not call either as solid backup options tbh. And neither is likely to be a long term option at CB anyways.
There is clear lack of depth and quality in our backline with VVd and GOmez out injured. We need a 4th choice CB regardless of our injuries. Whether its Ben White, Botman, Kabak or anybody else, we need to at least see if they are attainable in January.

24 Dec 2020 11:27:25
Knocked the send button😖 I was supposed to add the Phillips vs Williams debate. Phillips looked better all round but looks like klopp prefers Williams. obviously Phillips can’t play CL.

24 Dec 2020 12:09:46
I know the argument is that we are top of the league so our makeshift defence must be doing alright but for me I would still buy a CB if we could find someone decent and cheap enough. Matip is too fragile to really rely on and Phillips and Williams scare me. Plus losing VVD for me was like losing Fabinho as well because I think we miss him from midfield, it was like losing 2 players. So bringing in a CB and allowing Fabinho more time in midfield and also putting some pressure off the playing time of our midfielders would be what I would do.
I’m not sure buying a CB would be the difference in winning the league or not as I believe we would be favourites regardless but it could very much be the difference in winning or a close second, especially if we get more unfortunate injuries, could also be the difference in winning the champs league or not as well, Fabinho has been fantastic in stepping in but I would worry if we get to the later stages of the champions league and he’s facing the best strikers in the world, I would rather he was in midfield and an actual centre back in defence.

24 Dec 2020 13:15:01
For me it's a must. Like you said JK Klopp was already looking to upgrade in that position before the injury crisis. We have a lot of games coming and if we want to compete in both CK and the prem we will def need more depth than we currently have.

Best case scenario right now is we play our central midfielder at CB the rest of the year which kind of answers the need for a CB right there

I think the question that really needs answering is can we unload a couple fringe players to fund the CB Klopp wants? I don't think Klopp wants to buy a 4th choice squad player. He will want a CB that can compete with Gomez for next year to play along with VVD.

That's just my take on it.

Thoughts?

24 Dec 2020 13:20:01
Thus Willams as been superb for a young lad, he as more to his game than Phillip's, think he is our 3rd choice at the minute and a really promising future.

24 Dec 2020 13:51:26
I’d go along with that Mighty Red. Williams is by far the better player of the two for me. I think it’s also a bit harsh to call him positionally average. He’s a kid still learning his craft and the best way to learn is to play at the highest level.
I also think VVD is not the best positionally but he has the tools to make up for it.
Williams looks one for the future so we should use this time to give him some valuable experience.

24 Dec 2020 14:17:25
The situation now is too complicated as Ed02 said, if I understood it correctly. Im sure the club already have targets, but then the club can't afford hence looking for the other party to accept spread payments. But other clubs are struggling too, so for them to accept such terms will be difficult for them. Offload players to fund the purchase seems like the ideal way, but again a lot of clubs are struggling financially too. I think it is likely we won't be seeing anyone new this transfer window. I think.

24 Dec 2020 15:15:18
All this chat of maybe needing a CB or not who is available or in our price bracket a d maybe even willing to come to us know they are just a stop gap.

24 Dec 2020 15:37:44
Ed do you see us adding a defender in January mate?

{Ed001's Note - it is not as easy as that. If one can be found that fits the role Klopp wants and within the price bracket, yes.}

24 Dec 2020 17:40:24
that criteria sounds like a fairytale right now Ed!

i can't see any club wanting to sell for reasonable value unless they are in a complete mess with finances in the short term.

{Ed001's Note - there are a lot of clubs in a mess due to the pandemic and then others like Lille whose owner pulled out and wants to get rid of the club and won't fund them any more.}

24 Dec 2020 21:36:00
All this talk about center backs, me personally I wouldn't get any since virgil got injured we have conceded 8 goals in all competitions in 15 matches. We had conceded 15 goals in 8 games the reverse numbers with virgil and Joe. So why fix it when its not broken and then spend needless money on a quick fix in jan. Hope you all have a great Christmas from all over here in Ireland wishing u all the best eds.

{Ed025's Note - you too deiser mate..

25 Dec 2020 08:07:08
If a CB can be found and the manager wants him and the deal can be done then, go for it. If not, all this talk about needing a CB is futile as everything hinges on these conditions.

25 Dec 2020 12:51:38
Here is a prediction for you.
If we make the Champions League Final VVD will play in it.