The Liverpool Center Back Crisis: 3 Potential Solutions

Liverpool supporters had hearts firmly in their mouths when Fabinho pulled up lame in the Reds Champions League match against FC Midtjylland on Tuesday.

With Virgil van Dijk likely out for the season and Joel Matip already sidelined for a third time this season, seeing Fabinho signal to the bench early in the first half was the last thing Liverpool’s defense needed.

Sean Bradbury of the Liverpool Echo has reported that Klopp and his team are still waiting for the results of Fabinho’s scan, but The Mirror in England are reporting that the results indicate he won’t be fit until after the November international break.

Either way, it is almost certain that Fabinho will at least miss the upcoming fixture against West Ham and perhaps have a much lengthier spell on the sidelines. Liverpool have a genuine center back crisis on their hands as Joe Gomez is the only fit first-team center back available.

With a crowded fixture list, Klopp will quickly have to find a solution or the season could be lost in the early stages already. Here are 3 potential solutions to the center back crisis, some shorter term, and some longer term.

Dip Into the Market (Longer Term)

While it may not solve the problem facing Klopp this weekend, dipping into the transfer market for a van Dijk replacement may be the most logical and likely course of action.

Liverpool were arguably light in the center back department before the season began as Dejan Lovren left for the Russian Premier league with no like-for-like replacement secured.

The January transfer window doesn’t open for another two months, so a stop-gap measure will be needed in the interim, but that won’t stop supporters from dreaming of another transfer coup—perhaps in the shape of David Alaba of Bayern Munich.

According to BILD, Alaba is no closer to signing fresh terms with the Bavarian giants. This means that he could leave on a free transfer upon the expiration of his contract at the end of the season, or agree on a Bosman transfer with a foreign club in January.

Liverpool would definitely love to repeat the magic of their Thiago transfer by bringing Alaba in on the cheap in January, and he definitely has the quality to play alongside van Dijk. Perhaps Alaba doesn’t have the same imperious defensive reputation as a Kalidou Koulibaly, but Alaba and van Dijk would make a formidable pairing upon van Dijk’s return from injury.

Meanwhile, he is an extremely experienced defender, Austrian international, and would definitely improve Liverpool’s defensive options.

Elsewhere, reports across Europe have linked Ozan Kabak with the Reds, although sources close to the club have denied this. The 20-year-old Turkish defender is playing for cash-strapped Schalke, so rumors should be taken with a grain of salt.

But that hasn’t stopped The Mirror from suggesting the Reds have already opened talks with the Bundesliga side ahead of the January transfer. Likewise, Dayot Upamecano has also been linked with a January move. Whether the Reds’ finances would allow a move for Upamecano, who would require a hefty sum to move in the middle of the season, remains to be seen.

He would certainly be welcome at Anfield given his growing reputation across Europe. One thing seems clear: whoever it is, Liverpool will likely be looking to bolster their injury-ravaged squad in January, barring the unlikely emergence of a youngster.

The Kids are Alright (Shorter Term)

Jurgen Klopp has not been shy about giving youth a chance in his career. Generally speaking, if you’re good enough you’re old enough for Klopp. This time, however, the 53-year-old may have little choice.

Rhys Williams made his second Champions League appearance in as many games when Fabinho had to leave the pitch for further treatment. And while his performance was solidly composed, making a good interception and winning numerous balls in the air, it didn’t belie his tender years and lack of experience.

In the second half, Williams often did the sensible thing, lumping the ball forward hoping a man in red would get to the first or second ball. Compared to his teammates he is trying to replace, it shows that he doesn’t yet have Fabinho’s ability to bring the ball forward or pick a pass, and very few center backs in the world have van Dijk’s range of passing.

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There is a definite drop in quality, but Williams isn’t being tasked with helping Liverpool’s offense click into high gear so much as he is there to clear the ball out of dangerous situations.

Furthermore, Nat Phillips, who got first-team experience and football on loan at VfB Stuttgart last season, could come in from the start as the slightly more experienced youth option. Philips, like Williams, offers little going forward, but from previous game experience in cup matches, he seems to be good in the air.

Like Williams, he is 6’3″ and more than capable of beating a man in the air, which is such an important part of Liverpool’s game plan. Pep Ljinders, Liverpool number two, recently said in a press conference: “As a pressing team you have to accept a lot of long balls and second balls, so it’s important you have centre-backs who are good in the air so they can win the first challenge.”

Williams has won 12 of his 17 contested aerial duels, a success rate of 70.6%. Van Dijk, one of the best aerial defenders in the world has a success rate of 74.2%, while Gomez has a success rate of just 62.8%. Whoever fills in to pair with Gomez will need to be able to win balls in the air and be alert to the second ball.

Let the Captain do a Job (Shorter Term)

The solution to the center back crisis could lie in the shape of another midfielder, namely Jordan Henderson. The captain himself likely won’t relish the task, but being the consummate captain he is, he would no doubt step up to fill the role.

He has played at center back before during Klopp’s tenure. Henderson slotted in the defense two seasons ago during the semifinal fixture against Monterrey in the Reds’ run at the Club World Cup.

After that match, the captain told BBC Sport, “It was different! But I just tried to do my best in that position, I had great people around me – Robbo and Joe were talking to me all the time.” The Reds won that game and eventually the Club World Cup, so we know that Klopp sees Henderson as a viable option.

Luckily, Liverpool have the options in midfield to cope if the skipper is drafted into the defense. Gini Wijnaldum is almost certain to start against West Ham, given that he started on the bench in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Thiago is back in training and might be in contention for a place at the weekend, while Curtis Jones has come on as of late to give Klopp more options in midfield as well. James Milner and Nay Keita could both fill in as well, so the midfield could be sorted without a significant drop in quality.