Liverpool will certainly enter the January transfer market post the FIFA World Cup, admits club manager Jurgen Klopp. The Reds have already been dealing with a string of injuries in the team which have hindered their season so far. Now they head into the World Cup break, with the risk of their participating players possibly returning from the tournament with injuries. This could send Liverpool into another injury crisis, which could further derail their season as they are recovering from a slow start to it.
Liverpool spent a hefty £85 million this summer on the signing of Benfica striker Darwin Nunez, making him the club record acquisition. However, they didn’t invest in the midfield department, where many felt reinforcements were direly required. But after midfielders Thiago Alcantara, Curtis Jones, Naby Keita and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain suffered long term injuries at the start of the new season, Liverpool went for a panic buy in Juventus midfielder Arthur Melo. The on loan midfielder however had to undergo a surgery on his muscle injury last month, and is ruled out until January. It has only added to the problems of Jurgen Klopp, who now expects serious business in the winter market.
Jurgen Klopp bracing for new arrivals in winter market
Liverpool have sustained some serious damage to their season, as they sit sixth in the Premier League table going into the World Cup break. The Reds are 15 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal, and 10 behind arch rivals Manchester City. Jurgen Klopp has already admitted the title challenge is all but over for his side, as doubts are now being raised over whether they can even achieve a top-four finish this season. With a string of key-players out with injuries, the Liverpool manager was asked whether he is anticipating new faces in January, as he said:
“We are always open to these kinds of things but we don’t have to open this discussion now. If there is something possible, we will do it. If a door opens, we are open as well. It is not about wanting or whatever. Of course, we want to improve the team all the time, we just believe in the training ground as well and that we can do it there. We will see what happens.”
He further admit signing a midfielder so late in the summer transfer window has come to haunt them back, as taking the responsibly for it, Klopp continued:
“I know we have had this discussion since it all started and I am the one who said we don’t need a midfielder and I was wrong. That’s the situation. But the specific point doesn’t change – we will do something but it has to be the right one. We will see. Are we after a midfielder? Ish… closer we get to the last minute… more like [they don’t]. I couldn’t [give you a name]. It’s difficult because for sure there a few who are right but there are different issues, at clubs who don’t want to sell, that’s how it is.”
Liverpool have had injuries in literally every department, right from the goalkeeper to a forward. Shot-stopper
There have to be new recruitments in January for Liverpool, if they are to resurrect their ailing season. However, their American owners, Fenway Sports Group have decided to entertain offers for the club’s takeover, which could disrupt Jurgen Klopp’s plans for winter market. Though the inside reports suggest the Liverpool manager will be fully backed in the market at the turn of the year, it would surely be a difficult task for him to entice new players amidst the chaos of the club’s sale.