Title-chasing Liverpool have been rocked by a defensive crisis as centre-back Dejan Lovren became the club’s latest player to limp his way over to the injury table after the Croatian was forced to depart the field during the surprise 2-1 FA Cup defeat to Wolves.
Liverpool already have Joel Matip and Joe Gomez on the sidelines, leaving Virgil Van Dijk as the club’s only fully fit centre-half. Midfielder Fabinho was instructed to fill in at Molineux on Monday night, but boss Jurgen Klopp will no doubt be keen to wave his wand in the January transfer window and pluck out a player more naturally suited to that position.
Step forward, Gary Cahill.
Cahill may not be the first choice for many Liverpool supporters, but the club could do a lot worse than the 33-year-old, who is widely expected to depart Chelsea in the next few weeks having been left out in the cold by manager Maurizio Sarri.
Cahill, capped 61 times for England, has been forced to watch on from the sidelines this season; restricted to only 21 Premier League minutes, a couple of EFL Cup showings, and four Europa League appearances.
However, the veteran defender is ready and available, and would bring to Anfield a wealth of experience, both domestically and in Europe, while he has of course won the Premier League - twice to be precise.
Cahill, who has lifted the Champions League, Europa League and the FA Cups, would provide adequate cover while the likes of Lovren, Matip and Joe Gomez are out of action, and Liverpool wouldn’t have to break the bank to secure his services. Only a small fee would be required as his contract expires in the summer, although a short-term loan could be an option.
A number of Reds fans have been warming to the idea...
Liverpool should go and get Gary Cahill as cover for centre halves, free agent in summer, experience of winning league, get him for small fee in January, it’s a no brainer IMO (@BannaJones)
Gary Cahill is a decent cheap signing to hold us over?? (@LukeBird)
With all their defensive injuries and letting Clyne go out on loan, Liverpool could do worse than getting Gary Cahill for free on a six month contract. (@CoachKT)
