Jurgen Klopp laments Joel Matip injury with peculiar ‘Christmas tree’ analogy as Liverpool boss hints that defensive reinforcements could be hard to find in January

The 32-year-old might not feature again in this campaign after hesuffered an ACL rupture against Fulham. However, it seems the Reds may not dip into the market, as Klopp believes there is a scarcity of quality centre-backs available. He also expressed concern that such a transfer might hinder the development of the existing defenders at the club.

Speaking to reporters, the manager said: "Everyone talks about us needing another player but they all cost money and they must be the right player. You tell me a club who wants to sell a top, top, top centre-half. Not a centre-half but a top centre-half because they have to play for Liverpool. So why should we start that process?

“For four or five days we’ve known Joel will be out for a long time and that’s really bad for us but we still have four centre-halves and that’s absolutely all right. If we had a fifth centre-half in beforehand it is a completely different team dynamic: when one is not involved we don’t see steps with him.

“Is it now perfect? I would say it is as long as we can go with them four. If not, then it would be more tricky with the amount of games coming up. But it was never wonderland where you bring in a world-class centre-half until the other one is fit again. As long as other clubs don’t put them under the Christmas tree for us and say: ‘Take him as long as you need him.’ I didn’t really think about it yet as it’s only been five days since that problem. I don’t think so.”

Matip's contract is set to expire at the end of the season. There have therefore been suggestions that the defender has already played his last game for the club. However, Klopp believes that the Red will do enough to secure an extension.

"I would say [Matip will renew] but it’s not my decision in the end – I cannot sign the papers,” he said. “I am pretty sure the club will show their class, just how they should do it. I am pretty sure the club told Joel already that whatever happens as long as he is injured everything is fine. Then we have to make a decision together with Joel how it looks after that. He deserves all the support from us and he will get it.”

Although Klopp brushed aside the possibility of signing a replacement, there have been reports that the club is monitoring £30m-rated Wolfsburg star Maxence Lacroix. Along with him, Crystal Palace's Marc Guehi is also on the shortlist.

However, in the short term, Klopp has to rely on Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konate in central defence with Joe Gomez and Jarell Quansah as the back-up options.