Liverpool has reportedly been offered the chance to sign free agent Daryl Janmaat in an attempt to bolster up a much-depleted defensive unit at Anfield.
Joe Gomez is the latest significant casualty to add to Jurgen Klopp’s growing list of injury setbacks after the England international underwent surgery on a knee injury in London on Thursday morning.
The Reds have refused to put a time-frame on the injury although it was stated on Liverpool’s official website that Gomez is expected to be ‘out for a significant part of the remainder of 2020-21.’
He joins a group of defensive casualties which includes the likes of Virgil van Dijk – who is also expected to miss a large chunk of the season with a similar injury – as well as Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Fabinho, 27, has missed Liverpool’s previous three matches following a hamstring issue sustained during the 2-1 win against FC Midtjylland last month while Alexander-Arnold, 21, went down with a calf problem at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.
Liverpool are down to just Joel Matip and Andy Robertson as the club’s only recognised and experienced defensive options – and now, TeamTalk reports that the Reds have been offered the chance to sign free agent Janmaat.
The 31-year-old is without a club after his contract with Watford expired earlier in the summer.
The report claims that the Dutch right-back has been offered to Liverpool with a glowing recommendation from Janmaat’s countryman and Reds midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum – whom he played with during their time together with Newcastle United.
Certainly, Janmaat could be a short-term solution for Liverpool, offering cover at both right-back and in central defence.
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Indeed, Liverpool are in urgent need of cover in defence and desperate times can sometimes call for desperate measures.
The last time Klopp was forced to make a quick defensive purchase was back in 2016 when Liverpool brought in Steven Caulker on loan from QPR.
Adding Janmaat to the Premier League champions would provide a similar underwhelming sense of deja vu for supporters as the former Watford defender cannot be expected to act as a short-term solution to Liverpool’s defensive woes.
It is worth noting that even in the absence of three recognised centre-backs, Liverpool still have the like of Rhys Williams and Nat Phillips eager to step up while Billy Koumetio and Sepp van Berg are among other options from the academy.
Source: Rousing The Kop
