Graham Potter issues Ben White update after Liverpool link

Liverpool want to sign Ben White.

Leeds Live have reported that the Reds want to bring the central defender to the club, a stance that could take on more importance in light of the injury to Virgil van Dijk.

The Brighton start impressed during his loan spell with Leeds United last season and has slotted straight into the Seagulls’ starting side.

That has resulted in more chat than ever about Ben White’s future, and his manager Graham Potter has moved to address that.

"“It is part of the football noise. The transfer window closed last week and we are already having conversations around transfer speculation. It’s just the way it is.“I know he is level-headed enough to not let it affect him. I think at this level you have to know it is part of the territory.”"

For now, Joe Gomez and Fabinho seem to be developing a good partnership at the back and Joel Matip is waiting for his chance – but if there’s one injury or suspension Jurgen Klopp will be down to the kids.

While Rhys Williams impressed in the Carabao Cup and made his Champions League debut against Ajax, he’s still incredibly raw and has no Premier League experience.

Could signing another centre-back in January be the way to fix this? It would certainly provide a fourth option in that position moving forward, but it would cause extra congestion in midfield as Fabinho would move back to his regular position.

Klopp rolled the dice on his three senior central defenders and his gamble backfired.

Bringing in White could help to mitigate that, but the comments from Potter indicate that Brighton are not going to sell on of their best players any time soon.

After playing on Saturday night, Liverpool will go again on Tuesday in the Champions League. Players will be tired, especially Gomez and Fabinho, so some form of rotation will be required.

This could be one of the more interesting starting sides of the season so far and Matip could certainly get his chance to impress – or perhaps Williams may be trusted in this huge fixture.

Either way, this isn’t an issue that’s going away soon.