Jamie Carragher believes Liverpool FC should prioritise the signing of French talent Dayot Upamecano when the winter transfer window opens in January in order to shore up the centre-back options at Anfield following Virgil van Dijk’s recent injury blow.
The ex-Red called upon his former side to target Upamecano, a player who has been a standout performer for RB Leipzig in recent seasons and has established his credentials as a first-team option for a number of top clubs across Europe.
Speaking to Sky Sports, Carragher said that Van Dijk’s ACL injury would come as a severe blow to Jurgen Klopp’s side, who have been rather under-fire since the start of the 2020-21 season, and Liverpool FC would be required to add defensive depth to their squad in January to maintain their title-defence.
“So there is no doubt that Liverpool had to go big in the transfer market next summer. That was the next one. That has now got to be brought forward to January 1st, whoever the target was in the summer. Not the end of January. Not [wasting time that month] negotiating with a club.”
“There is a young man everyone was talking about at Leipzig, Dayot Upamecano, there is talk of him. Whether he has the profile of Van Dijk, I think he is only 6’1″ or 6’2”, so he is maybe not that aerial, but if he is the one they wanted, then bring it forward.
Carragher’s comments do shed light upon the prevailing situation at Liverpool FC, with the Merseyside club being short on first-team names in the centre-back role, having already lost Dejan Lovren this summer to Zenit.
