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Who can solve Liverpool’s defensive crisis? Ex-Reds star Crouch weighs in

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The injury-stricken Reds have gone backward recently, prompting calls for defensive reinforcements in January.

Peter Crouch has named RB Leipzig center-back Dayot Upamecano as Jurgen Klopp’s go-to-guy for solving Liverpool’s problems in the defense.

The Reds boss has had to make do with a makeshift backline for most of the season, having lost Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez to long-term injuries. Joel Matip, meanwhile, has also suffered his fair share of fitness problems.

Liverpool’s woes in defense have been a key factor behind their decline in form recently. A single win in seven games across all competitions (D3 L3) has seen them surrender top spot in the Premier League and suffer a fourth-round FA Cup exit.

“Everyone in football can see that they need a center-half. You’d think they would bring someone in before the deadline,” former Reds striker Crouch told talkSPORT.

“But we can’t criticize Liverpool’s transfer policy. It’s been unbelievable over the past couple of years, the players they’ve brought in and have improved.

“If it’s not the correct center-half they won’t bring him in and the policy has gone well so far.

“There are so many top center-halves out there. Upamecano is a top center-half, I think he’s one of the best in Europe. He’s the best one out there if they can possibly get him.”

Liverpool visit Tottenham on Thursday for their next Premier League match.

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