Liverpool initially tried to sign Borussia Dortmund centre-half Neven Subotic on loan this January, but their manager Thomas Tuchel ruled out a deal – meaning Jurgen Klopp has turned his attentions to Steven Caulker instead – claims Paul Joyce in the Express.
The 24-year-old defender is owned by QPR, but has spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Southampton – where he’s badly struggled for minutes.
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Under Ronald Koeman, Caulker’s made just three Premier League appearances, and Joyce claims that Liverpool think they can encourage Southampton to cancel the deal so we can sign him temporarily until the end of the season.
Caulker hasn’t played in Europe so would be available for our Europa League fixtures. Klopp wants him to provide cover for central defence – an area currently blighted by injury.
Kolo Toure is the only senior centre-back fit, with Mamadou Sakho fighting a race against time to partner him versus Arsenal. Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren are still unavailable, and Lucas had to fill in at the back against Stoke City in the League Cup.
Even with our current problems at the back, the Caulker news is a little uninspiring. He has caps for England, but his stock has dramatically fallen. He’d essentially be transferring from Southampton’s bench to ours – and we suppose if that eases our defensive worries – it’s not a totally foolish deal.