Brendan Rodgers will simply have to buy a new centre-half now…
Liverpool will undoubtedly enter the transfer market to sign a backup defender, as 22-year-old Uruguayan centre-half Sebastian Coates has injured his cruciate ligaments while away on international duty, reports the Daily Mirror.
The no-nonsense stopper twisted his knee in a friendly against Japan, and results of the injury are worse than first feared, with Coates likely to be out for six months.
Brendan Rodgers could now step up his pursuit of long-term target Tiago Llori of Sporting Lisbon, who has still not signed a new contract. The English born 20-year-old has made only 12 first-team league appearances, but has received glowing recommendations from a sea of European scouts.
On top of this, a proposed deal for Martin Skrtel to join Serie A side Napoli could now be off the cards.
The Italian club’s new manager Rafa Benitez wants to reunite with the defender he brought to Anfield back in 2008 during his successful stint as Reds boss.
With the injury to Coates though, Skrtel is the only established senior defender capable of covering for vice-captain Daniel Agger or free transfer signing Kolo Toure. Young Andre Wisdom can also cover the position, but Rodgers would prefer to use him as backup for Glenn Johnson at right-back for the time being.
With the transfer window nearing its end, the Reds will have to now concentrate on signing a new centre-half, as well as pushing for a marquee attacking transfer they so badly desire.
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