Liverpool FC Defensive Crisis: Top Five Likely Replacements for Jamie Carragher

As if a cruel defeat to Tottenham wasn't bad enough, Liverpool FC also had to lose their talismanic defender Jamie Carragher to a long term injury.
The sports science people at Liverpool seem to have suggested that the veteran defender would take at least 3 months to return back to action. Under such circumstances, Roy Hodgson and Liverpool FC's transfer policy in the upcoming window certainly seems to have changed.The condition looks especially difficult as all Liverpool are now left with just two experienced central defenders in Skrtel and Sotoris Kyrgiakos. The other possible contender for the spot could have been Daniel Agger, who too also looks at least 2-3 weeks away from full fitness.

Now, Roy Hodgson's specialty all his management career has revolved around a solid defence, thus after losing Jamie Carragher, Liverpool FC have been linked with a number of centre-backs as usual.All said, Liverpool still have other priorities too in this upcoming transfer window, especially in the attacking department and also a better left back.

Thus although Liverpool under NESV are not expected to just splash the cash they may still have to prioritize signing a centre half. Keeping everything in mind, here I am listing the five most probable options for Roy Hodgson as per the rumors upto now. 

St. Andrews has been a fortress for Birmingham City and very few  teams have been able to score there in the last two years. Considering the fact that Birmingham City have just made it past the Championship only last year, their defensive record have been impressive and Scott Dann has an integral part of it.

Thus, this Liverpool-born and former Liverpool FC season ticket holder, Scott Dann seems to have attracted the attention of the Liverpool FC boss. The 24-year old, 6ft 2inch tall defender also matches the young and bright talents criteria that NESV emphasizes about Liverpool's transfer policy.

Scott Dann also should come within the 8-10m range and thus be a solid viable option for Liverpool FC.

Ivan Gonzalez, has been attracting the interest of Liverpool FC for more than a year now. Even Rafael Benitez, the former Liverpool manager was apparently interested in the player and now with Carragher out for the immediate future, reports have again linked the player with Liverpool.

Although it would be natural to think that a Spanish youngster would be not be a first choice for a manager like Roy Hodgson, who has really not delved in the Spanish market ever, the introduction of Damien Comolli and also Malaga's currently precarious position at the bottom of the La Liga could make the talented player an easy and cheap option for the Reds.

The 24 year old, French defender from Lille, Adil Rami too has been linked with a move to Liverpool right from the last season.

The fact that even Roy Hodgson has attended a few matches of the French club, could also add fire to the fuel soon after the suspected target Eden Hazard has already distanced himself from any speculative transfer this winter window.

Although, the other rumored transfer target from Lille, Gervinho may still be approached by Liverpool, the sidelining of the talismanic Carragher could easily lead Roy Hodgson and Liverpool to bid for the player.

The price tag of 15m which Lille are rumored to slap on their first choice centre-half may prove to be a deterring factor.

Although a horrific tackle to Aaron Ramsey has slightly tarnished this Premier League player's reputation, there can be no arguments against the fact that Ryan Shawcross is arguably one of the most battling centre halves in England.

This English defender is highly rated in England and going by Roy Hodgson and Damien Comolli's statements, Liverpool FC will certainly look to buy more English players and Shawcross fits the bill perfectly.

However, even the Stoke City manager manager Tony Pulis also admires the English centre back and thus prizing him away could prove to be an expensive option in January.

After Bolton Wanderers reported a record loss only a few weeks back, even the Bolton manager Owen Coyle has agreed to the fact that if any big club came looking for Cahill and with a good sum of money, it would be almost impossible to hold on to  the talented centre back.

Under the prevailing conditions almost all of the big four clubs have shown interest in the player and thus, it would be tough to contemplate that the 24 year old will still be at the Reebok after the January transfer window.

Roy Hodgson also has an eye on this much wanted English talent and with a promise of regular first team football, Liverpool may still hold an edge over the competitors in a footballing sense and should be heading to Anfield unless Hodgson unearths some other talents meanwhile or the competitors come in with ridiculously hefty bids for the player.