Liverpool great John Aldridge says manager Jurgen Klopp must buy a new defender in January.
Both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez face having their seasons curtailed due to knee operations.
Aldridge wrote for the Sunday World: "Unfortunately, Gomez's situation cannot be solved quickly - and, when you throw in the reality that Joel Matip also has fitness worries, there is only one solution left.
"While Fabinho can slot in at centre-back and do a good job, Jordan Henderson could play in there at a push, and young lads like Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams are showing real potential, Liverpool need to make their move to bring in a central defender now.
"That player needs to be ready to come to the club when the transfer window opens on January 1st, he needs to have a good fitness record - and also have top level experience.
"Signing that player in the upcoming transfer window when every club in Europe now knows Liverpool are desperate will not be easy, and it will also be expensive.
"Yet, this is a moment when Klopp needs to be backed, as not even the greatest manager in world football can dig himself out of this hole."
