Liverpool transfer rumours: Who could Jurgen Klopp turn to as he tries to solve centre-back shortage?

Klopp admits he may have to dip into the transfer market

(2015 Getty Images)

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was left counting the cost of his side's 1-0 win over Stoke City in the Captial One Cup on Tuesday night.

The Reds treatment room is now bursting at the seams after Dejan Lovren and Philippe Coutinho were injured at the Britannia Stadium, while Kolo Toure suffered a knock.

Lovren and Toure, who is likely to return at the weekend, joined Mamadou Sakho (return unknown), Martin Skrtel (out for a month), Joe Gomez (out for the season) and Jon Flanagan (expected to return mid-January) on the list of defenders who are currently missing from first-team action.

It leaves Klopp with only three fit defenders, Nathaniel Clyne, Alberto Moreno and Jose Enrique, who has not played for the club since 24 January and last started a match in December 2014.

Klopp may have to call on youth products Brad Smith (21) and Connor Randall (20), who have both made brief appearances this season, but also said he will look at the transfer market.

"In this moment with no centre back fit, I would say it is a situation where we have to think about going into the transfer market," he said after the victory.

"Two weeks ago we had three centre backs, that's a good situation, at the start of the season we had five, now we have none. I don’t know if any have a chance of being fit. Sakho, I don’t think so. Kolo said it’s only a cramp. But I don’t know for him either."

Liverpool allowed three centre-backs to leave in the summer, Andre Wisdom and Tiago Ilori went on loan and Sebastian Coates was bought by Sunderland.

Here, we look at the players Klopp could turn to in his squad and a handful who may be available this summer.

Club legend Jamie Carragher does not believe Klopp should panic buy in this window.

"I think [Klopp] has brought one in already [Marko Grujic] but I think more so there will be people coming in because of the injuries the club have at the moment," he said on Sky Sports.

"The squad is not deep enough. But I don't think as a manager and a club you want to buy someone now in a panic and maybe regret it for next season.

"If he can get the right player that he wants now, get him, if not, bide your time and wait for the summer."

What do you think Klopp should do? Let us know in the comments