Paul Joyce of the Times has delivered an update on Liverpool’s transfer plans and whether Jürgen Klopp is still looking for additions.
Jürgen Klopp admitted in his pre-Crystal Palace press conference that even if the summer window were to close tomorrow, he has a “team which I like and could play football with.”
Not exactly what Liverpool fans really wanted to hear.
It’s not been the most successful summer for the Reds who, despite being one stone’s throw away from a return to Champions League football, have spent only a fraction of the money that was expected and have only brought in one guaranteed starting player – Mohamed Salah.
As relayed by Paul Joyce of the Times, the club’s inability to secure top targets Virgil van Dijk and Naby Keïta – despite both players angling desperately for a move to Merseyside this window – coupled with Philippe Coutinho asking to leave has sent the fanbase into a downward spiral and “created a backdrop of unrest” online.
Joyce claims that the club does still hold interest in van Dijk but will only move if given the green light by Southampton who currently, maintain that their captain is not for sale. When it comes to RB Leipzig and Guinea midfielder Naby Keïta, Joyce seemingly believes that the deal is dead in the water, with the club considering alternatives – of which the recently linked Jean Michael Seri of Nice is not one.
While the fanbase has been left frustrated – and rightly so – by the club’s failed efforts to get deals over the line, publicly, Klopp has maintained that what he does with the squad available to him is far more important than worrying solely about potential incomings.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon, the German revealed that Liverpool are still looking for new players but that he is unsure just how much movement will actually be made between now and August 31st.
“A few teams are still looking, and we are looking, but that is what I do when I am not actually on the pitch or not thinking about training or the next game of course. We think about what we can do,” he said.
“If the transfer window would have ended yesterday we already would have a team which I like and could play football with. Of course injuries here and there are not too cool but in this moment it is still a good team. The transfer window is a very important time, no doubt about this, but it is also important what we do with the actual team. We will see what happens.
“A few things can happen on both sides but everything leads in the direction of August 31 and I can imagine it will be a busy day. If we are involved in this busy day I don’t know but we will see.”
Klopp also voiced his “bemusement” over comments from Barcelona general manager Pep Segura suggesting that Coutinho was a done deal, remaining adamant that he will not let the player go – no matter how much the Catalan club offer.
“Nothing to say from our side. I don’t know why other people are saying what they are saying; I don’t even know them – especially this guy, I’ve never even met him,” said the boss.
“To be honest I have nothing to say about his attitude because since he has had a back problem he has obviously not been in training. I asked the medical department how he is doing and there are no complaints so that is how it is. There is nothing bad to say about this.”
So, to sum it up: Coutinho is as of this moment going nowhere but neither are Virgil van Dijk or Naby Keïta. Small victories are still victories I suppose.
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