Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher thinks his former club should go after RB Leipzig centre-back Dayot Upamecano in the January transfer window.

The Frenchman has been watched by the Reds in the past, while the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal have also looked at the defender. Following the serious injury to Virgil van Dijk, Carragher believes the Premier League champions should spend a sizeable amount on the 21-year-old to strengthen their options in defence:

“There’s a young guy that everyone’s talking about – there’s one – that’s Upamecano at Leipzig. There’s talk of him. He’s not the profile of Van Dijk he’s 6’1 or 6’2 so he’s maybe not that aerial challenger but if that’s the one Liverpool want next summer then bring it forward, pay extra money and do it on January 1st. That means Liverpool would only have to get through the next 11 league games without Virgil van Dijk.”

Upamecano does reportedly have a release clause set at €42m (£38m) but that only comes into effect at the end of the season so if Liverpool do try and get the centre-half in January, it will likely cost a lot more.

Leipzig will be reluctant to let the France international leave midway through the season but they may be open to a sale considering they know they will get a lower fee in the summer.