Cleary’s clock is ticking (see what we’ve done there!!).
Jurgen Klopp has promised to dip into the transfer market this January to bolster his defence after an horrendous run of injuries.
The German coach saw his team end Tuesday night’s 1-0 win over Stoke with a centre-half partnership of Lucas and Kolo Toure who managed to keep Mark Hughes’ side at bay in the closing stages of the game.
Klopp’s squad is now down to the bare bones with almost an entire XI missing through injury.
Liverpool's ridiculous injury list would make some team.
And they wouldn't even need a 'keeper.#LFC pic.twitter.com/RIUGmbcQzn— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) January 6, 2016
So we’ve taken a look at four possible solutions to Klopp’s injury crisis, and how an Irishman could take advantage.
1 Daniel Cleary
In the twilight of his Liverpool tenure, Brendan Rodgers heaped praise on Dublin’s Daniel Cleary as one for the future.
Through prolific use of the word ‘very’ Rodgers described the young defender in very high terms that had many Irish and Liverpool fans very excited.
“He’s a very good player, he is going to have a very good career in the game. He is very committed. I have seen developments in my time, as a young player, I’ve seen him improve.”
Rodgers didn’t last much longer after those comments in October, not that there was any connection between those two events, but Cleary is still part of Liverpool’s first-team squad.
He was set for a loan move away from Anfield before Rodgers’ departure but, since then, he has worked well under Klopp and is understood to have impressed the German.
A key player for the club’s U21s having captained them a number of times this season, Cleary’s ability on the ball would suggest he could suit Klopp’s style perfectly.
Daniel Cleary. Exeter. Stage right. You're up. pic.twitter.com/dUaZWiFqDC
— B (@NTXZO) January 5, 2016
He is currently recovering from a minor injury that probably would have seen him feature in the FA Cup with Exeter this Friday but, instead, we will see him looking on from the sidelines.
When he does recover, Klopp could do worse than taking a look at the Dubliner who appears a natural fit for a team lacking a dominant ball-playing centre-half.
@DanoCleary get well soon. We need a CB 😂😂😂😂😂😂
— 🌜🌛🧡 (@BookBukkuBuch) January 6, 2016
2. Recall loan players.
It seems that at least one on-loan starlet will be taken back to Anfield this month as Tiago Ilori’s spell at Aston Villa is set to be brought to a premature end.
The young Portuguese is one of a number of Liverpool players who have had to try and make their careers outside of their parent club after Liverpool’s scattergun approach to recruitment.
One who may be also worthy of a recall is Andre Wisdom, who missed Norwich’s weekend win over Southampton through injury but is expected to be fit in the coming days.
Powerful and pacey, the centre-half endured a miserable time last term under Tony Pulis at WBA while on loan at the Hawthorns, but has made 10 appearances for the Canaries this term.
What about Andre wisdom?? We are desperate 😬
— antonyrooney 🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆🏆 (@rondo81) January 6, 2016
Lloyd Jones, who is on loan at Blackpool is also currently injured and is unlikely to be recalled.
3. Make an emergency signing.
Most Liverpool fans will remember Rafa Benitez signing former Argentina defender Mauricio Pellegrino in January of 2005.
The centre-half was signed as cover for Liverpool ahead of a hectic European and domestic campaign and played 13 games, but was like a man crippled with arthritis at the hectic pace of the Premier League.
Buying players in January is always fraught with danger, but a man who ultimately proved to be a new year success could be back on the market shortly.
Nemanja Vidic arrived at Manchester United in January of 2006 and soon became a club legend.
His current spell at Inter Milan is set to end in the summer but with the club looking to offload the Serb, would Liverpool fans be willing to see a man sent off twice in Liverpool-Manchester United clashes walking out at Anfield for the home side?
Ashley Williams at Swansea could also be a quick alternative as the Welsh club appear in terminal decline since the departure of Gary Monk before Christmas.
He would surely welcome a move away from the club and it’s not like they have a manager to refuse it now do they?
4. Start the summer signings early
If Klopp wants to make a bold statement and help Liverpool to at least compete for the Champions League positions, then his summer spending spree must begin this month.
It would be astonishing if he does not raid his former club for one, if not two players, and Mats Hummels heads many shopping lists.
The defender is just the authoritative figure that Klopp would love at the heart of his defence and if he was to sign now, he could be given six months to bed in before the Euros in the summer.
Hummels isn’t likely to be tempted in January however, with Neven Subotic a more likely alternative. Reports suggest he could be available for around €8million.
Joel Matip has also been linked but Schalke are keen to hold on to the Cameroon defender until the summer.
