The second part of John Aldridge's ECHO column makes the case for Liverpool to sign a new centre-back before the January window closes
BOURNEMOUTH, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Joe Gomez of Liverpool goes off with an injury during the Premier League match between Bournemouth and Liverpool at Vitality Stadium on January 24, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
Joe Gomez came off in the 3-2 defeat at Bournemouth, leaving Liverpool with more defensive injury problems(Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images)
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There's less than a week to go in the January transfer window and time is running out for Liverpool to sign the defender they desperately need.
As things stand, it looks like Ibrahima Konate is leaving at the end of the season, Giovanni Leoni is sidelined for the remainder of it and is inexperienced anyway and we are awaiting a timescale on Joe Gomez's latest setback.
So that leaves Virgil van Dijk, who will be 35 and into the last year of his terms by the start of next season. It's a defensive department that is crying out for reinforcements, so why not look to engineer something this month?
Liverpool are fighting for their lives when it comes to qualification to the Champions League and they could find themselves being in the Thursday Night Club - the Europa League - if they don't win this battle with Chelsea and Manchester United now.
So can they not look to do whatever they are planning for the summer a few months earlier? If it is possible to get someone in now, they have to explore it.
You might find yourself paying over the odds but the Deloitte Money League's figures last week has Liverpool FC as the club with the highest revenues in England, they have never had more money coming in right now.
No doubt there is a business plan there but Liverpool need someone who can fit the bill to act as a safety valve at the back because there is no way they can expect to finish in the top four if midfielders like Ryan Gravenberch or Wataru Endo have to play at the back for a considerable period.
Time to get our act together
After a damaging weekend of results all round, the fight is on now for Liverpool when it comes to Champions League qualification.
Down to sixth and looking up at a revitalised Chelsea and Manchester United, it's time the Reds got their act together. Okay, a 13-game unbeaten run across all competition did move them up the table but it's no wins in five now and precious points are being squandered.
The Reds, in fact, will have gone more than a month since their last Premier League win by the time Newcastle United come to town on Saturday night and there are teams just behind them - the likes of Brentford, Fulham and Saturday's opponents - who will be targeting us now.
I would love to see Aston Villa win the Premier League title but I suspect they will eventually fall away but with United thinking they have their mojo back after successive victories over the top two in Manchester City and Arsenal, they might feel as though they are suddenly favourites for fourth.
So, in that regard, Liverpool have to start playing like champions. United are on a run now and they have the belief and Chelsea, under Liam Rosenior, look like a more consistent side, too. Their win at Crystal Palace on Sunday was their first away from home in the league since November. Liverpool look like they are on the back foot now as a result.
The fight is on. It's time for Liverpool to show what they are made of.