01 January 2024 , 22:18
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Jamie Carragher has insisted Liverpool must sign a defender in the January transfer window if they are to sustain their title challenge.
The Reds are currently three points clear at top of the Premier League table after claiming a thrilling 4-2 win over Newcastle on New Year's Day. They are now one of the favourites to win the title, though boss Klopp is battling somewhat of an injury crisis in defence, with their weakness at the back exposed by the Magpies.
With Joel Matip, Kostas Tsimikas and Andy Robertson all sidelined, Carragher believes the backline needs to be bolstered. Despite that slight weakness heading into January though, the Liverpool legend has insisted his former team have an edge over title rivals Arsenal.
"You can’t help but look at this Liverpool team and compare it to the team that won the league. It’s not as good as that team, that was unbelievable team but you then look at the facts," he told Sky Sports.
"This is a team who from the end of last season to right now, have lost one Premier League game in 30. That is unbelievable for any team. Maybe I need to start giving this team more credit and respect.
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"But I still feel Manchester City have got the edge and are still favourites for the title right now. On the back of the two injuries to the left-backs and Joel Matip being out for the season, I think the position they find themselves in is it is an opportunity they can’t waste.
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Jamie Carragher believes Joel Matip's injury means Liverpool need to sign a defender in the January window (PA)"I do feel Liverpool have to bring a defender to the club in January. Liverpool have got something Arsenal haven’t got which is a manager who has won the title before.
"And players within that squad who are genuinely world class players. When you are talking about the other challengers whether that is Arsenal or Aston Villa, they are still yet to prove that."
Boss Klopp is aware of the challenges his side face as they aim to win their first title for four years. While the German is happy with how the Reds have performed, he insisted that they can still improve.
"It feels better, no doubt about that. How I said, I like a lot of things that we did, but it is not like we really think too much about it. When I say I am not happy, I am OK. I'm not sure that sounds positive enough, but it's really positive. It's just so early, that's all," Klopp said.
"We had a lot of good spells in games where we didn't win or we had lesser-good spells in games we won and these kind of things, so it's a process. Obviously it's better to be first than sixth, but both gives you a lot of work to do for the rest of the season."