Liverpool may be forced into a January addition to ease their stretched defence after the potential season-ending ACL injury to Joel Matip… but who are the players that have been discussed by the club?

• Liverpool may be in the market for a defender in January after Joel Matip’s injury 
• Reds’ defence is stretched as they bid to challenge on all four fronts this term 
• Man City have dipped, but Gary Neville is WRONG to say they’re complacent – Listen to It’s All Kicking Off 

Liverpool have been rocked by the news of Joel Matip’s ACL injury this week, which is expected to rule out the veteran defender for the remainder of the season. 

A free transfer in 2016, when fit, the 32-year-old has been one of Jurgen Klopp’s most dependable players.  

Unfortunately, injuries have rarely been too far behind understatedly brilliant performances, with Matip missing significant time in all but two of his campaigns with the club. 

The most recent issue, sustained while he was in the midst of another commanding spell at the back alongside Virgil Van Dijk, leaves the Merseyside club stretched in defence. 

And though a January move for a replacement seems unlikely, Mail Sport understands there are a few names that have been considered. 

Liverpool may have to sign a defender after Joel Matip suffered an ACL injury against Fulham

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is short of defensive options following the injury to Matip

Maxence Lacroix

The 23-year-old Frenchman has spent the last three years with Bundesliga side Wolfsburg after coming from through at Sochaux.

Lacroix is a right-footed centre back, who is capable of also filling in on the right of defence – a vital skill in Liverpool’s system with Trent Alexander-Arnold inverting from that zone in the attacking phase. 

The youngster also fits the bill physically. He stands at 6 ft 3 compared to Matip’s 6 ft 5 in, Lacroix is also lightning quick and comfortable on the ball with an eye for a raking cross-field pass. 

One of Matip’s key additions to Liverpool’s set up is his ability to break opposition lines with penetrative runs with the ball from deep. In truth, there are precious few defenders who share this trait. 

Lacroix possess some of the attributes required to fulfill this role but it is hard to conclude with any certainty in his current capacity for a mid-table Wolfsburg outfit. 

Most encouragingly, the French defender has been pretty durable in his career so far, only missing six games in five senior campaigns. 

Lacroix (left) has emerged as target for Liverpool in January after impressing in the Bundesliga

Lloyd Kelly

Bournemouth defender Lloyd Kelly has made nine appearances for the Cherries in the Premier League this term, including two in the side’s current four-game unbeaten run. 

However, Andoni Iraola has been forced to cope without the 25-year-old in recent clashes against Aston Villa  and Crystal Palace due to a muscular issue that will keep him on the sidelines for ‘some weeks’, according to his manager.

That fact will not bring much comfort to Reds supporters amid a defensive injury crisis of their own. Indeed, though more durable than Matip, Kelly has missed his fair share of football in the last few years. 

When available he has performed consistently and will be an attractive signing due to being a left-footed defender, who is capable of playing in the middle and at left-back. 

With his contract expiring in the summer, Kelly would also command a lower fee than some of the other options being considered but the Reds face competition from AC Milan, who are among the clubs monitoring his situation. 

Mail Sport understands that the Reds are unsure whether the England U21 international has maintained the level of performance required for their roster. 

Lloyd Kelly is out of contract at the end of the season and is also being pursued by AC Milan 

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Perr Schuurs

Liverpool have been sniffing around the Dutchman since his Ajax days in 2020 and considered an approach amid a previous injury crisis that left them without any of their first-choice defenders. 

For all of the 24-year-old’s talents – and there are many, his aerial duel success rate and passing stats are in the same ballpark of Reds defenders – he too is out with injury. 

Unlike Kelly, who should be back in action in short order, Schuurs suffered the same ACL injury in October that has sidelined Matip. 

The Torino star will be out for the remainder of the season but will again be of interest when he returns to full fitness. He is another strong and commanding defender, who is adept at contributing to build-up from the back. 

Torino star Perr Schuurs has been on Liverpool’s radar since turning out for Dutch giants Ajax

Jarrad Branthwaite

Former Portugal international Abel Xavier was the last player to cross the Stanley Park divide when he moved to Anfield in 2002 without much fanfare, having spent the two prior seasons with the Toffees. 

Almost two years prior, Nick Barmby had completed an acrimonious switch which divided the city and had then-Everton chairman Bill Kenwright lamenting: ‘[Barmby] had used six of the worst words in the English language as far as Everton fans are concerned. He had said: ‘I want to play for Liverpool’”. 

One suspects that the reaction to a Branthwaite-Liverpool union would resemble the latter. 

The 21-year-old has become a mainstay in Sean Dyche’s side and has played every minute of their last 13 Premier League fixtures. 

The England U21 international has also attracted interest from Man United after dominating at the back. As with the other options before the Reds, Branthwaite possess the physical attributes to be a success at Anfield. 

He is quick off the mark despite standing at 6ft 5in.  He’s left-footed, good on the ball and dominant in the air. He’d be incredibly difficult to pry away from Goodison Park mid-season. 

Jarrad Branthwaite (left) has cemented himself into the Sean Dyche’s first team plans 

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