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In the midst of the festivities over a job thoroughly well done against Brighton & Hove Albion, a moment of reflection was required.

Liverpool won 5-1, but had done so with just one centre back on the pitch. While that was cause for celebration, it is not sustainable in the coming weeks.

Granted, Jurgen Klopp was presented with a strange set of circumstances. Joel Matip was injured, while a bug struck down both Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez. Klavan made it to the bench, but only to be used in the absolute worst-case scenario of another defensive injury.

Most teams would struggle if three of their defenders were missing, but it further emphasised a point made throughout the campaign: Liverpool need reinforcements in that position.

The Reds' defensive outings have improved since the 4-1 defeat to Tottenham in October, although Sevilla was a harrowing evening in the second half.

The blame and focus fell upon the midfield as much as the back four on that night.

Yet Liverpool undoubtedly do need to strengthen, and in January if possible.

Here is who could step in for the Reds.

The obvious option - Virgil van Dijk (Southampton)

No surprises here The Dutch defender remains on Liverpool’s wishlist after their botched attempt to sign him in the summer, and still remains the star most supporters would like to see snapped up.

There might be more caution than there was in the summer however, with his performances for Southampton this season not befitting of a player with a huge price tag – including a disappointing afternoon at Anfield.

Yet he has started to show a bit more consistency in recent weeks under Mauricio Pellegrino in what has become an inconsistent Saints side.

The dream option - Dan-Axel Zagadou (Borussia Dortmund)

Still just 18, signing a player with just 15 senior appearances to his name might represent a risk; indeed, it could be considered the opposite of what Liverpool need.

But the French teenager is hot property and has forced his way into Dortmund’s first-team after signing from Paris St-Germain last summer.

Tipped to become one of the best centre-backs in the game in time, he would represent a real statement from Liverpool – a player ready-made for the first team, but with so much development to come.

That he signed a five-year deal in the summer means he would be nothing more than aspirational, however.

The Bundesliga option - Willi Orban (RB Leipzig)

With Naby Keita heading to Anfield, how about his Leipzig team-mate?

The Bundesliga feels a natural league to focus on when assessing potential recruits, and Orban has been one of the standouts this campaign.

The 25-year-old – who joined from Kaiserslautern in 2015 – has established himself as part of last season’s surprise runners-up. Though Keita, Timo Werner and Emil Forsberg are the stars, Orban and partner Dayot Upamecano have provided a solid base this season.

He is their captain however, so tempting Leipzig to sell another of their stars would prove difficult.

The cheap option - Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid)

With just six months remaining on his contract at Atletico Madrid, is there a chance for Liverpool to profit?

The Uruguayan has found minutes hard to come by for Atletico Madrid, with Stefan Savic and Diego Godin first choice under Diego Simeone.

Still only 22, the uncompromising defender has been linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months, and has heralded playing in England as a ‘dream’.

He will be free to negotiate a pre-contract in January, but would there be an option of snapping him up for a lower fee with his deal running out?

The wonderkid option - Kevin Danso (Augsburg)

At just 19, hopes are high for the Austrian international. A former team-mate of Dele Alli at MK Dons, Danso was snapped up by Augsburg in 2014, and has since become their youngest-ever player after making his debut in March.

Thought of as a midfielder at youth level, he has thrived at centre-back in the first team, where he has established himself as first-choice over the past seven games.

Danso, who was born in Austria but moved to Milton Keynes as a youngster, has plenty in the game excited and could represent a real option for the future.

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The Premier League option - Christian Kabasele (Watford)

Several defenders have impressed domestically in this campaign, with the likes of Ben Mee and Shane Duffy catching the eye.

But Watford star Kabasele has been earning rave reviews for his efforts at Vicarage Road.

Granted, the Hornets have conceded plenty of goals – including three against Liverpool – but he is part of a defence that is actually limiting the opposition to a low number of efforts on goal.

In a better set-up, the 26-year-old could be a real asset, having spent the past few months learning from the smart Marco Silva.

The emerging option - Benjamin Pavard (Stuttgart)

The Frenchman raised eyebrows when he was called into Didier Deschamps’ national squad in November, earning his first two caps, but such is the impact the 21-year-old has made in the Bundesliga.

Could there be a chance to profit on something few others have seen so far?

Arriving from Lille in 206, he has been praised for his technique, passing ability and man-marking skills, with the player also naming Sergio Ramos and Mats Hummels as role models.

Also capable of filling in at full back, he could be a name to follow in the coming years.