Liverpool may sign four defenders after Joel Matip’s injury.

After Liverpool defeated Sheffield United 2-0, manager Jurgen Klopp of the Reds announced that centre defender Joel Matip had torn his ACL and would probably miss the remainder of the year.

The 32-year-old defender’s contract with Liverpool expires in the summer, therefore we may have seen the last of him as a player.

To give him more time to heal without the pressure of finding a new team, his contract can be extended by a full year. Similar moves have been made by the Reds in the past with players like Adam Lallana and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Whatever transpires there, though, it is obvious that if Liverpool are to fight for the title, they will need to strengthen the defence in the January transfer window.

Klopp has few choices when Matip isn’t available.

Despite winning all of his aerial duels against Sheffield United, Ibrahima Konate was dominant and prone to niggles. Even though December is still early in the season, he has already missed three distinct stints due to injury.

Although Joe Gomez is a centre back by trade, he has covered full back territory for the majority of the current campaign. Due to injuries, he has also been required because of Andrew Robertson and Conor Bradley. Due to Gomez’s adaptability, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Kostas Tsimikas have been rotated by Klopp in recent weeks.

Although Jarell Quansah, who the manager recently dubbed “Virgil 2.0,” has shown promise anytime he steps onto the game, and Virgil van Dijk appears to be returning to his dominant best, the Reds now lack true depth in defence.

Should a senior center-back sustain another injury, we won’t be far from the 2020–21 scenario. Is Wataru Endo going to cover at centre back? There, he has performed before.

But the Reds really shouldn’t find themselves in this kind of predicament again.

When midfielders are required to substitute for centre backs, a grave error has occurred.

Naturally, Nat Phillips will shortly return from his Celtic loan. The centre back is ranked lower in the team and hasn’t really established in with the Scottish team. The loan period is unlikely to be extended, and keeping the 26-year-old on board would be the simplest course of action if the Reds are lacking in defensive depth.

But that’s a band-aid solution to what could turn out to be a long-term issue. Why not try to bring in Matip’s long-term replacement in January? At some point, he will need to be replaced. They would have the chance to adjust before the preseason, which might be crucial for their growth at the team.

It’s not like they will be tossed in at the deep end; in fact, their minutes may be regulated. Gomez can play centre back to assist with the rotation cycle now that Bradley is back and Andrew Robertson is anticipated to return in the New Year.

Who might Liverpool target in January if they decide to enter the transfer market?

LUCAS BERALDO (SAO PAULO)

The Sao Paulo superstar, who was recently linked to a move to Anfield, reportedly has a large following. Recently, Fabrizio Romano stated he was unaware of Liverpool’s interest in the £20 million rated defender. But Beraldo’s name does keep coming up and he does fit the Reds in a number of ways.

He sees a lot of the ball for the Brazilian team, is fluid in wide areas, and is a progressive player in possession.

He has a lot of promise and wouldn’t break the bank. But do the Reds really need someone a little more mature? particularly considering that Quansah is now serving as the project center-back?

GONCALO INACIO (SPORTING CP)

Throughout the summer, several outlets reported that Liverpool had their eye on Inacio. He stayed with Sporting CP, though, since a move never happened.

But every couple weeks, he is brought up. With the signing of a new contract with the Lisbon giants, the 22-year-old’s release clause was raised to approximately £52 million. When you consider what Josko Gvardiol went for in the summer, he’s not cheap, but neither is he costly.

The Sporting centre back is very neat when in control of the ball and exudes confidence when he steps into midfield. His strongest position is on the left, just like with Beraldo, therefore he would be replacing Van Dijk as an understudy.

Quansah might permanently shift to the right as a result of this.

While it’s not a bad concept, is there another way the money could be used?

ANTONIO SILVA (BENFICA)

Now that we are back in Portugal, we have Silva. The Benfica sensation was mentioned as a potential transfer target by Liverpool some time ago, and the team is apparently monitoring his progress. Although he has a £95 million release clause and a contract with the Lisbon-based team through 2027, he wouldn’t be cheap. However, as a player, he has enormous upside.

However, you should expect more of a guarantee for that kind of money. Silva would carry a danger.

To begin with, he would need to adjust to the new league. To fit in at Liverpool, he would need to adjust to being a part of a rotation cycle and improve certain aspects of his game. While it is conceivable, it would be extremely risky to pay a club record amount for a player who requires so many adjustments. That is something that cannot be avoided.

Similar to Beraldo, the 20-year-old would also be somewhat of a project, but he would also come with a high price tag and high expectations. It would be unexpected, but I wouldn’t rule it out.

MARC GUEHI (CRYSTAL PALACE)

Lastly, there is Guehi. It was quite unexpected at the moment to hear that he was on Liverpool’s summer wish list.

The former Chelsea player doesn’t fit the Reds’ preference for physically dominant centre backs. Though not as formidable as Van Dijk, Matip, or Konate, he can hold his own in a duel.

But he has excellent ball handling skills, and if he can get his team from the defensive third to the midfield third in a manner akin to Matip’s, that would be spectacular. That could be the allure. He’s been a regular for England and has experience in the Premier League. When you go with him, you know what to expect.

Although he may not have the same potential as others, he may make an early impact on this starting XI.