Bundesliga defender linked with Liverpool again following Joel Matip injury

With Joel Matip set to miss the remainder of the season through injury, Liverpool reportedly have their eyes on Bayer Leverkusen's Jonathan Tah as a potential replacement this January.

According to a report by 90min, the 27-year-old German centre-back has emerged as a prime target for Liverpool, with the Reds eager to bolster their defence and avoid having any potential title push derailed by the Cameroonian's ruptured ACL.

Tah, who hails from Hamburg, came through the ranks at Hamburger SV before joining Bayer Leverkusen in July 2015, where he now finds himself under the management of former Red Xabi Alonso.

Since his move to Leverkusen, Tah has been a stalwart at the back, amassing an impressive 324 appearances for Die Werkself, with over 250 of those in the Bundesliga.

His consistent performances have not gone unnoticed, drawing interest from several high-profile clubs in the Premier League, including Chelsea, Manchester United and Newcastle United, alongside Liverpool.

A change of plans

While Liverpool had initially planned on strengthening their defence in the 2024 summer transfer window, Matip's injury has seemingly changed the landscape, and the Reds could now be forced into a significant change of plans.

Liverpool initially hoped to secure a holding midfielder this January and had been heavily linked with a move for Fluminense's Andre. However, the club financing two signings of this magnitude in the same window is unlikely.

While Jurgen Klopp has Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate, Joe Gomez and young Jarell Quansah available for selection at the heart of his defence, injuries, notably Andrew Robertson's shoulder injury, have stretched their resources.

The versatile Gomez has been playing primarily in the wide areas as he serves as the main cover for both the left and right-back positions.