Liverpool plot late move for Aaron Long with USA star available for loan transfer

Liverpool: Klopp says Reds will try to sign defender

Liverpool are reportedly interested in signing USA defender Aaron Long before Monday’s transfer deadline. Liverpool were dealt further blows to their defensive resources on Thursday. Fabinho missed the trip to Tottenham due to a minor muscular injury, and Joel Matip was forced off at half time with ankle ligament damage.

Jurgen Klopp was forced to play the inexperienced Nat Phillips alongside captain Jordan Henderson for the second half.

Liverpool are already without Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez due to serious knee injuries suffered earlier this season.

Some former Reds players such as Jamie Carragher have pleaded with the Anfield club to bring in at least one centre-back this month.

And it appears there is movement with regards to New York Red Bulls star Long.

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ESPN claim Liverpool are interested in taking the 28-year-old on loan.

The MLS season is suspended until April at the earliest due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic and Long will be allowed to look for a temporary move elsewhere.

Long is considered a late bloomer having not been a regular in MLS football until 2017.

But he has now made 135 appearances for the Red Bulls, scoring nine goals.

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West Ham were interested in Long last January, who has also won 18 caps for the US men’s national team.

Speaking on Friday, Klopp gave an update on his transfer plans before Monday’s deadline.

The German said: “We will try. But there’s nothing to say until something happens.

“I’m not sure there’s an £80million centre-back available at the moment.

“We need to find the right player and it needs to suit our financial situation as well.”

He was also hopeful Matip’s injury was not as serious as first thought.

Klopp added: “There’s a glimmer of hope with Joel that isn’t as serious,” We will know more in three or four hours.”

“Fabinho has no chance for the weekend.”

Trent Alexander-Arnold played a starring role in the 3-1 win at Tottenham.

And the right-back praised the strength in depth of the Reds squad after Phillips’ impressive second-half display.

“Yeah we’ve had setback after setback, especially in the centre-back area,” Alexander-Arnold told BT Sport.

“But [Matip’s] done an amazing job first half and then Nat’s come on second half and done an unbelievable job again.

“It just goes to show the quality we’ve got all around the pitch.”

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