Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is reportedly unwilling to allow any of his defenders to leave on loan next month.
It's not exactly a secret that Klopp has struggled with injuries to his backline this season, with Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez the most notable long-term absentees.
The likes of Joel Matip, Fabinho and even Jordan Henderson have subsequently slotted in to help cover the gaps in the heart of Klopp's defence, although niggles picked up by the likes of Trent Alexander-Arnold have also occasionally left gaps out wide for the Reds.
After making his breakthrough last term, Wales youngster Neco Williams has been on hand to deputise this season and has, on the whole, looked assured when called upon, although admittedly he has at times come under fire from Liverpool's demanding fanbase.
Given his age, and relative lack of experience, there's certainly a case for letting the Welshman ply his trade at a lower level in order to get more used to the rigours of first-team football, although there doesn't seem to have been any interest from anyone in the 19-year- old at this stage.
Williams has played just four Premier Legaue games for the Reds this term, but it appears he's done enough to remain a part of Klopp's plans for the remainder of the campaign, with the Daily Star claiming he won't be letting any of his defensive options depart this January.
Even if Klopp decides to strengthen next month, it would be a hearty endorsement of the teenager, who's still hotly tipped for a bright future with club and country, although the Reds boss has admittedly hinted that his hand has been forced slightly by circumstances.
Speaking after the 7-0 win over Crystal Palace at the weekend, he said: "We dealt the whole season already only with the circumstances – with the injuries and stuff like this, you cannot prepare, you just have to sort these kind of problems.
“We all know, we had a lot of problems and when one started it just leads to the next problem and that means you have a player less at centre-half and then another one has to play seven times in a row because nobody else was fit and the young kids were not ready and all these kind of things. It doesn’t stop.”
