Liverpool simply must steer clear of free-agent defensive duo

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Liverpool should ignore all temptation of moving for a free-agent duo. That’s despite the current injury crisis.

The free-agent market could tempt Liverpool right now. Both Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are out long-term, while Joel Matip struggles to stay fit consistently.

And there are no other senior centre-halves behind them. If Liverpool want to compete this season, they’ll surely have to enter the transfer market.

That’s brought about talk for two free-agent players, in particular. First, there’s a fan calling into TalkSport to suggest Ezequiel Garay. And you can find other suggestions of that one from fans.

Then we have TeamTalk claiming that Liverpool are considering Daryl Janmaat.

These sound like great moves on paper. Experienced players who can come in and do a job on the short-term for very little money.

But the Reds shouldn’t got near them.

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Right away, there’s an obvious reason Liverpool shouldn’t sign them – both are without clubs because of serious knee injuries.

Liverpool signing two players in their 30s on the back of cruciate ligament injuries to replace two current players with knee injuries seems quite insane.

But even if you ignore the type of injury, it just doesn’t make sense. Garay hasn’t played since February, Janmaat since last November. The chances of either being fit anytime soon seems slim.

Take Gomez, for instance. He suffered a knee injury back in October 2015 that kept him out for a year. He resumed training exactly one year later but wasn’t fit enough to start until three months after that.

And he still only played three games that season.

Neither Garay or Janmaat are guarantees, whether it’s in reliability or talent. Because neither would be anywhere near Liverpool’s radar without the injury crisis.

The Reds should look elsewhere, either at elite signings or by spending a bit more to get someone fit enough to play.