Steve Nicol has told Liverpool to make a move to sign a new defender, regardless of whether Philippe Coutinho stays at the club.
The Reds have been heavily linked with a bid to bring Virgil van Dijk to Anfield this summer but the proposed move appeared to fall through back in June when Liverpool were accused of an alleged illegal approach by Southampton.
However, the player himself is clearly desperate to seal a move away from St Mary’s and he issued a public transfer request earlier this month expressing his desire to leave the club.
There have been suggestions that Liverpool could splash the cash on signing Van Dijk if they sell Coutinho to Barcelona for a big-money fee.
However, Liverpool legend Nicol believes that the two proposed transfers should not be connected, and that the Reds should look to bring in a defender before Thursday’s transfer deadline regardless.
Speaking to ESPN FC, Nicol said: “Liverpool can go and buy a defender without the Coutinho money. Everybody keeps saying that.
“Liverpool have money, forget Coutinho, forget there was ever any money offered for Coutinho.
“That shouldn’t and wouldn’t have stopped Liverpool going and buying a defender if they saw one, if there was one they wanted. According to them nobody other than Van Dijk. They obviously want him.”
Liverpool are currently preparing for their Premier League showdown with Arsenal at Anfield on Sunday afternoon as they look to build on their victory over Crystal Palace last weekend.
The Reds booked their place in the group stage of the Champions League with a 4-2 win over German side Hoffenheim at Anfield on Wednesday night.