Liverpool now considering transfer options following Joel Matip injury

Following Jürgen Klopp's assertions that Joel Matip has suffered a serious ankle ligament injury, Liverpool are considering their options in the transfer market.

When asked about Matip's withdrawal at half-time in a post-match interview, Klopp said: “Ankle ligament."

The German was subsequently asked if the injury to Matip in the wake of Fabinho's absence against Spurs would force Liverpool into the transfer market.

"We think about everything, as you can imagine,” he said. “We think about everything the whole time. We try to do the right thing and we have to do the right thing. I am not picky but we need to find the right player.

“We have players still, but it's incredible what's happening in defence."

Liverpool beat Spurs 3-1 in London as the Reds clicked into a higher gear following a few weeks of poor attacking form. The win came in spite of Fabinho missing out through injury which was followed by Jöel Matip suffering ankle ligament injury in the first half.

According to Anfield Central sources, FSG and Liverpool are now reconsidering their stance on making signings this month. We reported just yesterday that there were no plans in place to sign a centre-back despite Merseysiders' ill fortune this season.

Fast forward 24 hours and FSG would be failing in their duty of care as custodians of Liverpool Football Club by not giving Klopp and sporting director Michael Edwards the authority to sign a centre back.

We have been told that Liverpool are considering all options available, including reigniting their interest in Sven Botman, paying a premium to sign Dayot Upamecano early this month as well as signing Ozan Kabak on loan from Schalke.

After reporting at the start of January that RB Leipzig will not sell Upamecano, we already know that it's virtually impossible to sign the French defender without paying close to double his release clause that will be triggered in the summer.

He will be free to leave Leipzig for £38million at the end of the season but if any interested parties want to sign him now, they will need to pay £63m this month which is why the Bundesliga outfit has received zero formal offers for the 22-year-old.

As things stand, if Liverpool are to sign a centre-back this month it's between Botman and Kabak. The latter seems the most likely given Schalke's financial position as well as their expected relegation to Bundesliga 2.

We understand that Schalke want to sell him for roughly £30m but are also open to loaning him out for the remaining six months of the season with an obligation to buy at the end of the season.

Liverpool are keen on signing him but don't want to be forced to sign him at the end of the loan period. Michael Edwards is actively looking to have the option to buy included but at a fee below £20m.

Liverpool are also looking at players in the Championship, Ligue 1 and Portugal's Primeira Liga although Anfield Central have not been told who these players are.

The next couple days will be fascinating to watch and after returning to winning ways against Spurs, the Reds could boost their chances of reclaiming the Premier League top spot by signing a new centre back.