Liverpool urged to "move on" from Joel Matip as centre-back nears transfer

Liverpool must "move on" from injury-prone Joel Matip, according to John Aldridge, with Ben Davies poised to complete his move to Merseyside.

Matip, 29, has been plagued by a string of injuries since joining the Reds in 2016, the latest of which came during the 3-1 victory at Tottenham last Thursday.

The Cameroonian's recent setback left Liverpool with no available centre-backs and finally forced Anfield chiefs to act in the transfer market.

The Premier League champions are close to completing the transfer of Ben Davies from Preston North End, while they are also pushing for a loan move for Schalke's Ozan Kabak.

And former Liverpool forward Aldridge insists it is time for Liverpool to part ways with Matip by signing defenders who can cope with the physicality of the Premier League.

“The win at Spurs came at a cost as Joel Matip picked up yet another injury and harsh as this might sound, Liverpool may need to move on from him now,” Aldridge told the Sunday World .

“He is a decent defender and when he is fit, he has been a great player over the last couple of years, but his body just won't stand up to the rigours of the Premier League.

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“Liverpool need defenders who can play three games a week if required and Matip has confirmed now that he can't fulfil that need.

“I'm sure Liverpool will look to sign a defender next summer with a view to him being either first or second choice partner for Van Dijk when he is back to full fitness.”

Aldridge also claimed it would be "impossible" for Liverpool to defend their Premier League title without signing a centre-back.

He added: “[Liverpool boss Jurgen] Klopp was producing minor miracles with a team denied the services of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez and was doing his best to cover holes in his defence with temporary plasters.

“Using Fabinho at centre-back worked well, and captain Jordan Henderson also did his best when he dropped back from midfield to play in defence, However winning a title without proven defenders was always going to be an impossible task.”

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