Jurgen Klopp’s right-hand man at Anfield, Pep Ljinders, could have indicated with his recent comments that the Merseysiders will be keen on using their young talent rather than add new faces in the January transfer window.
An injury-depleted backline for the Reds is understood to have convinced Klopp to sign additional centre-back reinforcements this January, however, the recent displays of the 19-year-old Rhys Williams and fringe first-teamer Nathan Phillips has seemingly eased worries for the Liverpool FC boss.
Ljinders, while speaking to the club’s official website, played down talks of the Champions of England being weary on the injury front, with the Dutchman insisting that youth talent had stepped up for the 19-time league victors in a splendid manner.
“It’s always like this but some devastating moments create life-changing moments for other players because we have so much faith in our young blood, in the players we brought up, our own players,” Lijnders told Liverpool’s official website.
“These moments where you lose a top, top player automatically creates a big chance for a young player, because we invest a lot of time and we have a big commitment to them to be part of our squad.”
“What I’m trying to say is: I feel really the best back-up plan is the Academy – if the Academy is right and there’s a fluid process between the Academy and the first team, the best back-up plan is always young players.
“They never let you down – never, never.”
Injuries to both Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk, Klopp’s go-to first-team central defenders, has left the German with only Joel Matip as the fully fit centre-back option in the senior squad at Anfield, leading to Fabinho being drafted as a makeshift option in the heart of the defence alongside the Cameroonian international.
