Liverpool may need to sign a defender after Jurgen Klopp revealed Joel Matip has suffered anterior cruciate ligament injury that could end his SEASON

Liverpool could be forced to sign a defender in January, with Jurgen Klopp revealing on Wednesday night that Joel Matip tore his anterior cruciate ligament in Sunday's win over Fulham at Anfield.

The Reds defeated Sheffield United on Wednesday evening behind goals from Virgil Van Dijk and Dominik Szoboszlai, but Klopp confirmed after the match that the Cameroon international faces a battle to play again this season.

It means Matip may have played his last game for Liverpool, with the 32-year-old's contract expiring this summer. “It's a cruciate ligament, torn,” Klopp said. 'Unfortunately that is what I expected from the first second. This is what it looked like. Very unfortunate, but that's it.'

Liverpool are not yet aware of the timeframe of Matip's injury, but he will require surgery and is likely to miss the rest of the season. He has started nine of 15 Premier League games this season.

The Reds are now thin on the ground defensively and 20-year-old Jarell Quansah is expected to get minutes to complement Virgil van Dijk, Ibrahima Konate and Joe Gomez, who is often needed at wing-back. It could prompt them to assess the transfer market.

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Matip's injury adds to a growing list of absentees for Klopp, who is also without Andy Robertson, Thiago Alcantara, Alisson, Stefan Bajcetic and Diogo Jota. Youngster Ben Doak, who was due to perform over the Christmas period, limped off during an under-21s match on Tuesday.

And Alexis Mac Allister needed stitches on his knee after a bad tackle during Wednesday night's match at Bramall Lane. Klopp said: 'Open wound. We packed it. We stitched it. He couldn't continue. We'll see how long we'll be gone. Hopefully not too long.'