Liverpool tried and failed to sign Virgil Van Dijk this past transfer window, so our Liverpool fans here in the Transfer Tavern are crying out for Klopp to make signing a defender a priority in the next window

Liverpool ex-players and pundits have waded in about the defensive frailties the Reds have shown early on this season. While their attacking third looks well balanced and devastating, it’s the first third our punters believe will hold them back from achieving anything this season.

Disorganised and lacking leadership, especially at set pieces has been Liverpool’s downfall this year.

VVD would have been ideal to slot into the back four but with him coming back into the Southampton fold a move looks unlikely any time soon.

Maybe cashing in on Coutinho in January and using the money to fund a defensive rebuild would be Klopp’s best bet. Especially as this season there are more teams strengthening and seeing how neighbours Everton have gone big in August, the Reds won’t want to be left behind.

Our Landlord believes signing just one of these three defenders will make a huge difference to Liverpool’s rocky ship.

Chris Smalling

This may be an unlikely one as transfers from Manchester United to Liverpool are rare but Smalling is an England International, won leagues and trophies in his time at Man United.

He can be a commanding figure with his height and reading of the game and with his lack of first-team action limiting opportunities, Smalling will have something to prove should he make the switch.

Dayot Upamecano

RB Leipzig right-back Dayot Upamecano has soon become one of Europe’s hottest prospects.

Having already done business with the club this past summer for Naby Keita, who’ll join the Reds next season, A line of communication has already been established.

Leipzig are keen to tie Upamecano to a new deal with a big buyout clause to fend off potential bids, if Liverpool act quick enough they could be fielding one of the best young full-backs around at the moment.

Stefan De Vrij

Lazio defender De Vrij is available on a free come the summer as he runs down his contract but Klopp hasn’t got till summer to wait. A deal to bring the 25-year-old Dutch defender to Anfield could be a good bit of business, as he’s leaving for nothing anyway come summer, so Liverpool could get him on the cheap.

Louis van Gaal was a huge fan of De Vrij during the World Cup when he was in charge of Holland, relying on him a lot.