Liverpool legend Steve McManaman believes the club must sign a centre-half in the winter transfer window.

The Reds are without Virgil Van Dijk for most of this season, while other defenders have also faced fitness setbacks at one point or another this term.

McManaman believes if the Reds are to dip into the transfer market, defense is an area that must be a priority for the reigning Premier League champions.

"I think the only area is in the central defensive area," McManaman told BT Sport.

"I don't think so in any other area of the pitch.

"People keep saying that they let Lovren go and they never replaced him which is true but you don't expect two or three injuries in the same positions.

"If I had the money would I bring someone in? Yes.

"I don't know what the financial situation is. Joe Gomez and Virgil van Dijk are out for a significant amount of time. You can move Fabinho back into the centre-half area where he has been fantastic.

"If they have the finances, it is a no-brainer to go and sign a centre-half, then if you have too many central defenders then you sort it out at the end of the season.

"It would be a no-brainer and I would look at getting a top centre-defender and deal with the numbers further down the line."