Jürgen Klopp has called Liverpool's signing of defender Steven Caulker a "very important" acquisition after the Englishman signed on loan for the remainder of the season on Tuesday - adding that he is "the best solution" their ever-growing injury woes at the back.

The Reds confirmed that Caulker will wear the No.19 shirt during his time on Merseyside after they swiftly agreed a deal with Queens Park Rangers to bring in the 24-year-old until May.

The centre-back brings some much-needed strength in depth to an area of Klopp's squad which is severely depleted at the minute, after the German himself admitted that he was considering Lucas Leiva as one of three centre-backs for Wednesday night's game against league leaders Arsenal.

With Kolo Touré having recovered from cramp and Mamadou Sakho fighting for fitness after returning to training last week, Caulker - who has Premier League experience with Tottenham Hotspur, Swansea CityCardiff City and QPR could make his debut for the Reds against the Gunners at Anfield.

Boss glad to have "experienced" and "good header" in Caulker

Klopp, speaking to Liverpoolfc.com about Caulker's arrival, explained that it was a "very important" signing for the club, explaining that "four weeks ago" they "didn't know" they would "have a problem with centre-halves because they were all in the race [to play]."

He said that Joe Gomez "was also in the squad" at the start of the season, giving them five centre-halves, but insisted that "the situation" has since "changed completely." 

The manager described that they have "had to make a decision" on whether they "wanted to get another player for the position" and explained that Martin Skrtel is "not available for around about the next four-and-a-half weeks, five weeks" whilst Dejan Lovren's "little muscle injury" will keep him out for at least "one to one-and-a-half weeks" further. Sakho, meanwhile, has "a little kne issue" according to Klopp - who said "he can play, but it's not perfect and you cannot bring him [into a game not fully fit] three or four times in a row throughout season."

Caulker in training with the Reds on Tuesday evening. (Picture: Getty Images)
Caulker in training with the Reds on Tuesday evening. (Picture: Getty Images)

He also said it is "the same" situation for Touré, and insisted that they thought it was a "good idea" to therefore go out and bring in an extra defender. On the requirements they looked for, he said that they aimed for "Premier League experience" and hailed the importance of that experience in such a "short time" with the club. 

Elsewhere, Klopp said that they looked for "a good header [of the ball] because that's what we need", going into detail about wanting to "play good pressing" and wanting to "press the opponent so they have to play long balls" which then requires "people in the last line who can help you headers" - saying Liverpool have "found it" with Caulker.

Caulker is "the best solution" to Liverpool's injury problems right now, says Klopp

The Reds boss admitted that the one-time England international was "not in the best situation" at Southampton, where he played just 151 Premier League minutes for the Saints and "didn't play too much" but said that "this is January" and that they want to find "the best solution" for them, which Klopp says he is "absolutely convinced" Caulker is "the best solution for us."

He declared that he is "looking forward" to working with the defender saying that "everything is good" because the defender travelled north to train with his new teammates for the first time just one day before he could make his first appearance against Arsenal.

The defender's arrival comes at the ideal time for Klopp's side - with five more fixtures to play before the end of January - and he admitted that they needed to draft in a defensive reinforcement with so many fixtures coming at a time when they are nursing so many problems.

Klopp said that he didn't want to talk "too much about the schedule" as he acknowledged that he has "spoken too much about it in the last few days" because "the schedule is like it is."

He referred to the "two games" this week alone and said that they also have "a lot more games" after that. Though he said that he knows "all about" the schedule in the league, they "don't know" how many cup games they will have and said that they "have to be prepared for this" and because "January is the only month" where they can "do something", they have done so and now "let's go on."

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About the author
Charlie Malam
Digital Sports Writer at the Daily Express. First-class Staffordshire University Sports Journalism graduate. Formerly VAVEL UK's Liverpool FC editor and Deputy Editor-in-Chief. Contributor since June 2014.