Wednesday 6 January 2016 14:50, UK
Liverpool are suffering the worst injury crisis in the Premier League, with 11 players currently sidelined. But can the Reds recall their players out on loan to provide cover?
Jurgen Klopp's side have been hardest hit in defence, with all five of their recognised first-team centre-backs in the treatment room.
Dejan Lovren was forced out of Tuesday's Capital One Cup semi-final first-leg with a hamstring problem, while Kolo Toure was clearly suffering with cramp in the latter stages. With Martin Skrtel (hamstring), Mamadou Sakho and Joe Gomez (both knee) out of contention, Klopp is facing a selection dilemma ahead of the FA Cup trip to Exeter.
The Reds do have Tiago Ilori out on a season-long loan at Aston Villa - and Sky Sports understands Liverpool are exploring the possibility of bringing the player back. The Portuguese centre-back is yet to play for the Premier League's bottom club.
However, there is no recall clause in Ilori's contract so in order for him to return to Anfield, Aston Villa would have to cancel the loan agreement.
Andre Wisdom is another Liverpool defender out on loan. However, the England U21 international - who is more often played at right-back - is only just returning from his own hamstring problem at Norwich City. Like Ilori, it is understood he does not have a recall clause in his contract.
Meanwhile, Lloyd Jones, a 20-year-old centre-back on loan at Blackpool, is not considered to have enough experience to feature for the Liverpool first team.
Instead, Klopp may use the January transfer window to bolster his backline.
"In this situation, with no centre-backs fit, I would say [a transfer] is something we could look at," he said on Tuesday. "Two weeks ago we had three centre-backs, that's a good situation, at the start of the season we had five, now we have none."
