Liverpool are crying out for a new centre half.

The new Premier League season is only five games in, yes. But, given the defensive frailties that are evident in this Liverpool side, fans are already looking ahead to January in the hope that reinforcements will arrive.

Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan in particular have come under mass criticism, with many supporters left bemused they still remain in the starting line-up.

Since his arrival in October 2015, Klopp has only spent £4.2 million in this position , with that money being spent on Klavan.

It’s a position that has needed attention for a while now, but has seen little effort to address it.

Here are five potential targets that the club could swoop for:

 

  1. Virgil Van Dijk( Southampton) :

Where else to start at number one?

The Reds were linked with the Dutchman for the entirety of the summer window.

At one point, it looked as if the deal was all but done. But, the tapping up allegations made by Southampton scuppered the deal, and forced Liverpool into publicly apologising and announcing that they had ended their interest in the defender.

Just as hopes were crushed, they were revitalised a couple of weeks later when van Dijk added fuel to the fire, handing in a transfer request, and issuing a very emotive statement about his situation:

“I am incredibly ambitious and want to achieve as much as I possibly can to fulfil my potential in what is a very short career as a professional footballer.

I want to play European football again and challenge for major honours and as such I would like Southampton to consider the interest in me from top clubs should it still exist.”

The deal didn’t happen in the end, however, much to the disappointment of Liverpool fans.

The Reds should go back in for the 26-year-old, he would be the ideal player to repair a broken defence.

His pace, strength and ability to play out from the back would make him a terrific acquisition.

2. Kalidou Koulibaly (Napoli) :

At 6ft 5 inches tall, Koulibaly reigns supreme in the air.

The Senegalese defender has been at Napoli since 2014 and has established himself as one of the Serie A’s hottest talents.

He is 26 years old, a prime age for a centre half. The experience he has would bring some much-needed stability to a backline bereft of confidence.

His biggest assets are his power and physicality, as well as his passing ability.

He boasted an 89% pass completion rate last season.

Perhaps fellow Senegal international, Sadio Mane, can help out with this one.

 

 3. Aymeric Laporte(Athletic Bilbao) :

Laporte very much depicts the ‘young head on old shoulders’ expression.

The 23-year-old Frenchman has featured in the Spanish league over 140 times, an impressive feat at such a young age.

Not only this, he helped Bilbao to their first piece of silverware in 31 years, when the Basque club lifted the Supercopa de Espana in 2015.

He shows incredible composure when he plays, and is an intelligent defender.

He was named in the La-Liga team of the year for the 2013/14 season as well as featuring in the team of the tournament for the UEFA European Under 19 Championships with France (2013).

4. Matthijs de Ligt(Ajax) :

This is somewhat more of a long-term successor for the Reds’ back-line.

De Ligt is just 18 years old, and still has a lot more to give before he reaches his full potential. However, a switch to Anfield could take him to the next level.

He broke into the Ajax first team last season at 17, coming on and scoring from a corner 25 minutes into his senior debut, making him the club’s second youngest ever scorer.

He played in the 2-0 defeat to Manchester United, in last season’s Europa League final.

In 2016, he won the ‘ Ajax Talent of The Future’ award, at a club who are renowned for creating future prodigies.

He illustrates a sound understanding of the game, possesses great technical ability, and has already amassed first team experience at a top club.

Despite age not being on his side, talent sure is.

The youngster signed a new contract at the Johan Cruyff Arena, which lasts until 2021. However in today’s game, this means very little as we’ve seen many a time.

 

 5. Inigo Martinez (Real Sociedad) :

Martinez has been at Real Sociedad for the most part of his career, he made his La Liga debut in 2011, six years ago now.

Since making his breakthrough, he has rarely missed a game for the Spanish side, showing he is a dependable, regular presence at the back.

Having played first team football in a high-quality league for such a lengthy period of time, he is aware of the ins and outs of the game.

Although he is fairly short for a centre half at 5ft 11′, he makes amends with his profound experience and ball-winning ability.

Martinez has won close to 40% of the tackles he has attempted over the course of the last two seasons, whilst also averaging an interception every 37 minutes over the same time frame.

 

Tom Cavilla.