Liverpool were linked heavily with a move for Brighton and Hove Albion defender Ben White during the summer transfer window but after commmiting to a new long-term contract with the Seagulls, the centre-back was never likely to depart.

The 23-year-old established himself as one of the hottest English prospects in football last season after helping Leeds United win promotion back to the top-flight, with the youngster playing every single minute of the Championship season for Marcelo Bielsa's side.

As a result, the Yorkshire club were extremely interested in re-signing him permanently in the summer but saw several bids for the defender rejected by Brighton.

However, White ended up staying with Brighton, where he has enjoyed a fairly solid start to life in the Premier League, having averaged a 6.76 rating across his eight appearances in the top-flight (per WhoScored).

Now that he has proved himself to be equally adept at Premier League-level, Liverpool should seriously consider returning for the centre-back in January, considering their current defensive woes.

Jurgen Klopp has lost both Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk to long-term injury problems, whilst makeshift centre-back Fabinho is also currently sidelined.

The Reds also sold Dejan Lovren to Zenit St Petersburg in the summer transfer window, leaving the German manager desperately short of senior centre-back options in his side, as the Reds aim to retain the Premier League trophy they won so convincingly last time out.

The Athletic confirmed recently that following Gomez's injury, the Reds retain an interest in White, although they feel that there may be better value-for-money options abroad.

However, the 23-year-old's strengths of passing, concentration, ball interceptions and tackling all suggest that he could do an excellent job filling in for Van Dijk and Gomez in their absence and he obviously now has Premier League experience under his belt.

The Englishman has impressed plenty of Sky Sports pundits with his displays last season and this season, with Jamie Carragher suggesting that:

“His range of passing, especially his long-passing is something which stood out in that Leeds team – I think he’s really good. If he gets anywhere close to the performances he gave for Leeds this season in the Premier League for Brighton then I think he will be knocking on England’s door, I really do.” (per HITC)

Jamie Redknapp is also seemingly a big fan of White, as during a half-time analysis recently, he said:

"I have got to mention Ben White, there is a centre back there who is going to go right to the top.

"He is so comfortable on the ball, you can see why Leeds wanted to keep him.

"That young man is destined for an amazing future, he's comfortable on the ball, brilliant defensively and I love him." (per The Argus)

Therefore, White is clearly tipped for big things by a lot of people and considering Liverpool's defensive crisis, we feel that the Reds should do everything they can to sign the £13.5 million-rated defender in January.