Danny Murphy urges Liverpool to dip into transfer market as big problem spotted

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has urged Arne Slot to strengthen the defense in the January transfer window, insisting the Reds are down to the bare bones after Conor Bradley's season-ending injury

Danny Murphy has commented on Liverpool's growing injury crisis(Image: Getty Images)

Former Liverpool midfielder Danny Murphy has urged Arne Slot to act in the January transfer window, warning that the Reds are "down to the bare bones defensively."

Liverpool currently has all three senior center-backs available following Joe Gomez's recent return, but summer acquisition Giovanni Leoni sustained a season-ending knee injury in September's Carabao Cup clash against Southampton, while right-back Conor Bradley also saw his campaign cut short during last week's goalless stalemate at Arsenal.

Liverpool made an attempt to secure Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi during the summer, only for a deal to collapse at the final hurdle after the Eagles opted to retain their skipper for the current season.

It remains uncertain whether the England international will depart this month, with Manchester City now also expressing interest.

Murphy, who featured in the 2001 squad that claimed the UEFA Cup, FA Cup, and Carabao Cup treble, believes Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes must take action this month to strengthen the defensive options following Bradley's injury.

The right-back's absence will place additional demands on the versatile Gomez, who remains the sole alternative at center-back behind Ibrahima Konate and club captain Virgil van Dijk.

Conor Bradley has suffered a season-ending injury(Image: Getty Images)

"You've now got a problem with Conor Bradley," Murphy told Boyle Sports. "The cover at centre back is limited anyway, probably Joe Gomez is the only one you can think of, and he has his injury problems, and he's going to have to fill in at right back anyway.

"So the majority of people I'm speaking to are just desperately wanting Liverpool to reinforce the back line.

"Even if it's a temporary fix for now, just someone who can come in and cover that, because if there was an injury to Ibrahima Konate or Virgil van Dijk, you do feel that we'd be weakened.

"Whereas if you look at Arsenal, they've got Cristhian Mosquera, Piero Hincapie, Ben White can go in there, they've got so many options, whereas Liverpool are really down to the bare bones defensively."

Murphy also spoke about speculation linking Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton with a move to Liverpool. He said: "I think Adam Wharton is a phenomenal footballer who makes the game look very easy and would benefit from being in a better team because he'll have more of the ball and he'd be able to dictate play more, and I think that's inevitably going to come for him.

"I'm not sure he's what Liverpool need at all right now, to be honest with you. Because I think Ryan Gravenberch, arguably his best game against Arsenal, looking right back at his best in that position, you're not going to put Wharton ahead of him.

"Now, if Arne Slot wanted to release Gravenberch to play him higher up, then what do you do with Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis McAllister? I actually think most Liverpool fans I speak to are just desperately hoping they reinforce the back line."

The Reds return to action on Saturday when they welcome Burnley to Anfield.