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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has insisted that the club have no need to buy a centre-back in January after Dejan Lovren's recent injury blow.

The Croatia international picked up an injury during the club's 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Wolves, leaving Virgil van Dijk as their only fully-fit centre-back, but Klopp has no intention of dipping into the transfer market.

What's the word?

Liverpool have a selection crisis ahead of this weekend's clash with Brighton and Hove Albion.

Joe Gomez, Joel Matip and Lovren are all injured ahead of the game, and Fabinho may again be deployed at centre-back after being dropped into defence against Wolves.

Teenager Ki-Jana Hoever made his debut as a replacement to Lovren, and is another option to play against Wolves, with Klopp insistent that the club will not buy a centre-back in the current transfer window.

Speaking to TalkSport, he said: "The only country that asks a question like this is England. Everything is sorted with buying players.

“We have four centre-halves. Three, maybe, two-and-a-half are injured so we’ll have to try and come through in the moment.

“We need them back but you cannot buy a fifth centre-half and say ‘so you play two weeks and after that the others come in’."

Opportunity for Hoever

Hoever became the youngest Liverpool player to feature for the club in the FA Cup as he came on against Wolves, and he may well have a golden opportunity here.

Klopp's unwillingness to dip into the transfer market is understandable; deals to replace injured players are usually reactive and knee-jerk, particularly if they are permanent ones instead of loans.

Hoever, then, is the second fit centre-back available to Klopp behind Dutch compatriot Van Dijk, and it could be interesting to see the pair play together.

Van Dijk has repeatedly showed his ability to improve those around him, and there can be no better learning opportunity for the teenager than to take his place on the pitch beside the colossal 27-year-old.

Of course, should Klopp opt against that, Fabinho may again be trusted to play.

Indeed, given that Liverpool are playing Brighton and not a title rival, it should not prove the most important decision; Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane can be backed to outscore any opponent.

Which big 6 club needs to do the most business in January? Check out what the Pl>ymaker FC squad think in the video below...