Former Premier League striker Marlon Harewood has suggested that RB Leipzig centre back Dayot Upamecano is the "sort of calibre" Liverpool need to pursue in January.

Upamecano to Anfield?

The 22-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Merseyside in recent months, which ramped up on the back of their devastating injury crisis they have been forced to overcome at the heart of their defence.

First-team starters Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have been ruled out for the majority of the season due to serious knee injuries, leaving Joel Matip as the only experienced centre-back at Jurgen Klopp's disposal.

Upamecano has been touted as the man who can step into Van Dijk's shoes, having been described as a "formidable" defender by ex-Manchester United man Rio Ferdinand (cited by the Independent).

Speaking exclusively to The Transfer Tavern, Harewood believes that the three-cap France International is the type of player Liverpool should go for, at the risk of upsetting a few players in the process.

He questioned: "Can you see that back four changing after, when Van Dijk is back? If he replaces him, then you're going to be upsetting someone that's doing well.

"It's difficult one. I would say if Liverpool want to stay the best, be the best, they are the players that they have to get."

Harewood continued: "That's the calibre of centre half I think they'll definitely be needing to get (Upamecano)."

Transfer Tavern Verdict

Liverpool really have to find a solution to their problems at the back and fast.

Valued at £54m by TransferMarkt, Liverpool would be expected to pay a huge fee for Leipzig's crown jewel, with clubs undoubtedly taking financial advantage of their perilous and agonising predicament.

Time will tell what will happen and if Liverpool can get to the end of the Christmas with no further setbacks, but they could do a lot worse than splashing the cash on a rising star in Upamecano.

In other news, Liverpool suffer seismic blow as agent of 'outstanding' defender confirms plans of move to PL rivals.