Klopp denies Liverpool transfer need amid ‘promise’; addresses star facing new challenge
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed he expects a quiet end to the transfer window for Liverpool but promised that he would sign a player to “really improve” them if one was hypothetically available.
Liverpool’s only summer signing so far has been defender Ibrahima Konate towards the start of the window. Fans have been wondering if any other players will arrive. They have lost Georginio Wijnaldum and Xherdan Shaqiri, so may need to replenish those areas, for example.
But the club are keen to keep their net spend low, and after not receiving anything for Wijnaldum and relatively little for Shaqiri, that strategy puts their chances of making one last big signing in doubt.
Now, Klopp has reminded the Liverpool faithful not to expect too much activity as the window draws to a close.
He told a press conference: “Do I expect a busy four days for us? Not really, but you never know.
“How much does it (signings from other clubs) change things? The options did not get worse for some team, that is clear. There are so many different reason ways to win a football game, it is not all about bringing in new players.
“We brought in Ibrahima Konate, he was not a bargain and cost money, but all these offensive attacking players other clubs are signing is something they thought they needed. They had the resources to do it. We will not use that as any kind of excuse and go for it with all we have.
“I have no time to look at other clubs and think how will they line up. When we play them that is what we will do.”
Focusing specifically on the midfield, where Wijnaldum has left a void following his move to PSG, Klopp denied a reinforcement was necessary.
He pointed to Harvey Elliott’s return from loan and subsequent performance against Burnley in their most recent fixture, in addition to a few other options.
Klopp said: “Gini Wijnaldum played a lot of games for us, an incredible, top player. I have watched him for PSG and have to get used to that. We miss him on the pitch and dressing room too.
“We lost a midfielder and if we count that there is not something missing. If Gini was still here then Harvey Elliott might not have played this game (against Burnley). Curtis Jones is 20 years old and can, will and has to make the next step.
“Naby Keita did not play the full season as expected but we won big games with him. Would he have played if Gini was still here? Maybe not.
“We have Thiago, Jordan Henderson, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Fabinho. So that is the situation and there is no need to buy a midfielder just because he is on the market.
“If you think about it, there is no real need. If there was a player available who would really improve us, I would go for him. I promise.”
Klopp sends Robertson message
One area Liverpool definitely don’t have to strengthen is at left-back. Andy Robertson has excelled as a regular starter in that position in recent years, establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s best.
In his absence in recent weeks, Kostas Tsimikas has been making up for lost time after not featuring much in his debut season. The Greece international has already played more minutes in the league this season than last and looked competent.
Robertson shouldn’t find it too tricky to get back in the team, but Klopp said there was no pressure on him thanks to Tsimikas’ emergence.
“I am really happy with how Kostas Tsimikas has performed in the last two games and the whole of pre-season, he had a tough first year and I told him it was not the plan to bring in a Greek player and not play him.
“He had to adapt and our defensive line had to get changed every week too. Now he is in the best moment and it is great, we have a long season ahead.
“For this game, Andrew Robertson has been in training since last week and there was no need to rush him back. We have two really good left-backs and that was always the idea to have that.
“Robbo is an animal, works really hard and having these two options is really great.”
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