"We're not stubborn" - Jurgen Klopp on Liverpool's January transfer plans
Jurgen Klopp has indicated that Liverpool may not strengthen their squad further in the January transfer window despite being in desperate need of midfield reinforcements.
Cody Gakpo has already joined the club this month for an initial £37m fee from PSV Eindhoven, but the Reds have been unable to add further quality to their options in the centre of the park. When asked if Liverpool would add to their squad this month ahead of the FA Cup third-round replay against Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux, Klopp indicated that signing new players wouldn't solve all of Liverpool's current problems.
As cited by Anfield Watch's Twitter account, Klopp seemingly confirmed at a press conference that Liverpool will not be forced to dip into the transfer market.
"Is this the right moment to strengthen? I can't see it. We have an existing squad as well and it is my responsibility to get them to perform. We have players who are not available.
"If solutions for us were outside and doable of course we would bring in players to help but we have an existing squad as well and we're underperforming. We are not stubborn - we look outside as well - it's not that we think we will just be with these boys until 2050. It's always about what we can do."
ANFIELD WATCH VERDICT
Liverpool obviously need more quality in midfield, but Jurgen Klopp's risk-averse transfer policy at the club means we're unlikely to draft in further reinforcements in January. The embarrassing 3-0 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium last week was a clear indication that the team needs fresh faces, but with just over two weeks to go for the transfer window to slam shut, it doesn't look likely at this stage.
If one of our long-term transfer targets suddenly becomes available for the right price, I'm sure we'll do whatever it takes to agree a deal, but an Arthur-esque panic signing in the closing stages of the transfer window is not something that I can see happening.
That said, Klopp has always kept his cards close to his chest in terms of transfers, so only time will tell if we add to our squad further this month.