---
title: "Liverpool will sign a centre-back this summer, says journalist"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/liverpool-will-sign-a-centre-back-this-summer-says-journalist/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Henry Jackson"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-01-20T11:00:00Z"
modified: "2021-01-20T11:00:00Z"
---

# Liverpool will sign a centre-back this summer, says journalist

Liverpool will sign a new centre-back in the summer, according to Paul Joyce of the [https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/juergen-klopp-must-emulate-sir-alex-fergusons-ability-to-build-and-rebuild-85j8tlr6x](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/juergen-klopp-must-emulate-sir-alex-fergusons-ability-to-build-and-rebuild-85j8tlr6x)*[Times](https://www.thetimes.co.uk/edition/sport/juergen-klopp-must-emulate-sir-alex-fergusons-ability-to-build-and-rebuild-85j8tlr6x)*.

The Reds have suffered rotten luck in defence this season, losing [Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/joe-gomez-virgil-van-dijk-19270845) to serious, likely season-ending injuries.

With Joel Matip also [incapable of staying fit](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/joel-matip/verletzungen/spieler/82105) for long spells, Fabinho has had to become an auxiliary centre-back, with youngsters Nathaniel Phillips and Rhys Williams often slotting into, too, as well as Jordan Henderson.

Liverpool have the chance to sign a new central defender in the January transfer window, but Jurgen Klopp looks set to wait.

Joyce states that the Reds are ‘planning to buy’ a centre-back this summer, and would have done even without the Van Dijk and Gomez injuries.

### Read Liverpool Verdict

While it is frustrating not to see a new face come in this month, there is reasoning behind the decision, not least the current financial situation at the club.

It is a big gamble not bringing someone in, without question, but Klopp has merited supporters’ trust in him.

A big-money centre-back needs to join this summer, though – someone who is both a current and long-term option, with Matip and Gomez injury-prone and Van Dijk soon turning 30.

RB Leipzig pair [Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano](https://twitter.com/cfbayern/status/1350022713285496832?s=20) look strong options, particularly the former, who has won an average of [3.0 aerial duels](https://www.whoscored.com/Players/345957/Show/Ibrahima-Konat%C3%A9) per game in the Bundesliga this season.