Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said it is unlikely the club will sign a centre-back in January because of economic issues arising from the pandemic.

Defenders Virgil Van Dijk and Joe Gomez are out long-term, and Joel Matip has had several injuries since joining Liverpool in 2016.

Klopp stated: “There might be some clubs with no financial problems, but this club was, and always will be with these owners, very responsible with the things we do.”

The manager went on: “I cannot say definitely we will not bring one (centre-back) in but it is just not likely because of the situation in the world. If the world would be in a normal place, everything would be fine: we won the league, won the Champions League, the club is in the best possible situation and then you have three senior centre-halves injured, is that a situation when you would usually do something?”

Liverpool have been using defensive midfielder Fabinho in the backline with 19-year-old Rhys Williams, alongside inexperienced 23-year-old Nathaniel Phillips and midfielder captain Jordan Henderson.