The search is on for a centre back to partner Daniel Agger for Sunday’s visit of Man United to Anfield following Kolo Toure’s injury last night.
Toure picked up a groin injury in the extra time win over Notts County and manager Brendan Rodgers has admitted it “doesn’t look good”.
Rodgers was without Martin Skrtel for last night’s match, but he should be available for Sunday.
Martin Kelly and Sebastian Coates are both injured – the latter out for up to nine months.
Youngster Andre Wisdom started the game alongside Toure in defence, but was forced to move to full back after new signing Aly Cissokho was injured early on. Wisdom shone in pre-season at centre back but struggled last night, arguably at fault for both goals.
So, with the current squad, Rodgers’ options consist of a not-fully-fit Skrtel, or a very inexperienced Wisdom. Not ideal with Robin Van Persie coming to visit.
There’s also youngster Lloyd Jones, who made the bench against Fulham late-on last season, was rewarded with a new contract, then wasn’t involved with the first team for pre-season.
What is frustrating is that signing a centre back has been a priority all summer, despite Toure’s early arrival on a free transfer, and here we sit, less than a week to go of the window, and we still haven’t signed one. It’s like last summer all over again when we didn’t sign the forwards we all knew we needed.
Toure’s arrival has allowed Liverpool to play a high defensive line that is vital to Brendan Rodgers’ system. That would be difficult to implement with Skrtel back in the side, changing the shape of the team consequently. It’s a big blow.
Could Rodgers and Ian Ayre somehow get a player in before Sunday? Reports today claim Brendan Rodgers told press on Tuesday night that Liverpool are interested in Frenchman Mamadou Sakho, while Tiago Ilori is a player who Liverpool have already tried to sign once this summer.
Fan Comments