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

Despite their recent run of clean sheets in their unbeaten run, much of the early season was all about the defensive frailties the Reds had. While their attacking third looks balanced and devastating with their star signing Mo Salah making a massive impression since his summer move, it’s the back-line our punters believe will massively hold them back from achieving anything this season.

Disorganised and lacking a certain amount of leadership, especially at set-pieces, was Liverpool’s downfall in the first part of the season, and VVD would have been ideal to slot into the back four but with him being linked with a move to Man City, a move looks unlikely anytime soon.

Possibly cashing in on Philippe Coutinho in January and using the money to fund a defensive rebuild would surely be Klopp’s best option. Especially at this stage of the season, there have been more teams strengthening the Reds won’t want to be left behind come the second half of the campaign.

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

Stefan De Vrij

The Dutchman may have signed a new contract with his current club Lazio this season but now he has a £27m release clause involved and, if it’s triggered, Liverpool could land themselves a similar style of defender to Southampton’s Virgil Van Dijk but for a lot less.

Stefan De Vrij has played with the idea of a new challenge and moving to the Premier League would provide just that, having really impressed during the last World Cup in 2014.

He’s come on massively in the Italian capital and would add some much-needed steel to Liverpool’s defence.

Jose Gimenez

The Uruguayan defender is touted with a move away as his contract is whittling down to only 18 months left with his current club Atletico Madrid. Although he did emerge as one of the best young talents in Europe, he is now struggling to get first-team minutes this season and surely a move would be welcomed to the Premier League and, at Liverpool, would surely be a first-team regular

Klopp is surely desperate to bolster his defence while adding strength in depth and this aggressive centre-back could be the perfect fit for what they need for the second half of the season.

Dayot Upamecano

RB Leipzig right-back Dayot Upamecano is fast becoming one of Europe’s hottest young prospects in the Bundesliga.

Having already dealt with German club Leipzig and done business with them this past summer for Naby Keita, who’ll join Liverpool next season, a line of communication has already been successfully established between the two sides.

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