Klopp told former star is perfect transfer solution to Liverpool problem

Former Liverpool striker John Aldridge has urged Jurgen Klopp to consider bringing former starlet Conor Coady back to Anfield in January.

The Reds are in the market to sign a new defender in January after Virgil van Dijk was sidelined for several months.

The Holland star looks set to miss most of the season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Everton.

Those issues have since been compounded by Joe Gomez also suffering what looks to be a season-ending injury.

Liverpool have been linked with a plethora of big-name defenders to fill the void.

Aldridge, however, has instructed Klopp and Co to look closer to home in the shape of Coady.

Coady has emerged as a star performer for Wolves in the Premier League over the last couple of years. The one-time Liverpool academy performer earned his first England caps earlier this year and did not look out of place.

Now Aldridge has declared Liverpool chiefs should consider a bid to bring Coady back to Anfield in January.

“Liverpool have not made too many mistakes in the transfer market in recent years. But letting Coady leave the club has proved to be one of them,” Aldridge told sundayworld.com.

“He’s a local lad and loves Liverpool. I remember when he was coming through the ranks that people were saying he could be the man to replace Jamie Carragher. He was coming towards the end of his career.

“Liverpool is a club that loves to have one or two of their own in the team. Trent Alexander-Arnold is ticking that box at the moment. Coady could have been in the team as well now if he’d stayed.

“As it turns out, they let him leave for Huddersfield in the summer of 2014. He’s gone on to prove himself a fine leader at Wolves.

“He is now a part of the England international squad and while I’m sure he would walk back to Liverpool if an offer was put in for him. That said, it’s hard to imagine Wolves selling such an important player.

“Sometimes players can force through a move if it is to a club close to their heart. But I suspect Liverpool would have to wait until next summer before they would have any chance of getting Coady.

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“Despite their position results in the injuries to Van Dijk and Gomez, I still feel Liverpool need to sign a centre-back in next month’s transfer window. Hopefully the club are already making moves to sign the player they need.”

Liverpool have been linked with a move for RB Leipzig defenders Ibrahima Konate and Dayot Upamecano.

Coady fails to fall for Carragher gag

It’s not the first time Coady has been linked with a return to Liverpool.

Speaking on Monday Night Football in October Carragher urged the Reds to target a January deal for Upamecano. 

However, after helping Wolves to a dogged 1-0 win at Leeds, Carragher could not resist the urge to play a trick on the Wolves man.

Coady was imperious in the Wolves defence as they ground out the win at Elland Road.

And after the game, Carragher joked that Klopp had earlier stated he wanted to re-sign the recent England cap in January.

He said to Coady from the Sky Sports studio: “You won’t be aware but Jurgen Klopp tonight has done his Champions League press conference ahead of the game with Ajax.

“He’s actually mentioned you and two other players who he thinks could actually be replacements for Virgil van Dijk. Would that come into your thinking?”

Read the Wolves’ captain’s response here…