#PLStories- Jurgen Klopp believes Parker did ‘outstanding job’ at Cherries and outlines his transfer strategy #LFC #AFCB

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp believes Scott Parker was doing an “outstanding job” at Cherries and insisted: “In a club like Bournemouth, you need backing from everybody.” Klopp was also seen comforting Parker on the touchline during the record-equalling result – a gesture which was described as a “touch of class” by former England midfielder Jermaine Jenas on Match of The Day. Parker admitted to the Daily Echo the defeat had been the toughest day of his career in football, as either a player or coach. Asked by the Daily Echo whether he felt sympathy for Parker, and whether he had spoken to him after the game,

Jurgen Klopp replied: “We spoke, of course, but not about that. He didn’t moan or whatever about the situation. But when you look at the other two teams who went up (Fulham and Nottingham Forest) and you look what they spend. Then you look at Bournemouth and you think, okay… What will happen there? It’s not about the squad is not strong enough or whatever, not at all. It’s just the league is a really tough one. Especially I think in a club like Bournemouth, you need backing from everybody, because it will be difficult. It’s clear in the moment when you have the promotion – then it’s already clear, the problems start now.”

Parker joined Cherries after leaving Fulham in June 2021, signing a three-year contract at Vitality Stadium. He guided Cherries to the Premier League last season, finishing second behind Fulham in the Championship table.

Jurgen Klopp said: “I think he is doing an incredible, absolutely outstanding job arriving there and getting promoted immediately in a league where Fulham is flying away, Nottingham Forest were flying – that was a big one. Yes, I have a lot of sympathy for him.”

Jurgen Klopp has indicated he would like to add to his Liverpool squad before Thursday’s transfer deadline. Klopp was again asked about the possibility of signing someone before the close of the summer window and while he suggested he would like to, he again stated that it must be a player who can add to what he is already at his disposal.

Jurgen Klopp said: “There is really nothing to say about it. We are looking for it and if it is the right player we need him and if it is not the right player we don’t need him. 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 you were all right and I was wrong. Now we go for a midfielder. That’s the situation. But the specific point doesn’t change – we will do something but it has to be the right one. Curtis comes back, Thiago is not too far off, Diogo is not too far off, Joel comes back and that all eases the situation slightly. It would be great if no one gets on the list on the other side with a really intense time coming up. We know all that. We will not change how we deal with the situation so there is nothing for me to say to you at this moment. We will see.”

Klopp also hinted that Saturday’s visit from the Cherries could be an ideal time to give Fabio Carvalho his first start in the Premier League since moving from Fulham in the summer. The Portugal Under-21 international has come off the bench in all three matches this term but is pushing for a start after a positive cameo at Old Trafford earlier this week.

Jurgen Klopp added: “Of course it would be possible [for Carvalho] to start. A little problem is Fabio is the one player who can play midfield and up front and how can we change? But he’s really good, very positive, all the things we saw from him, a great boy, a really top-class boy, well-educated, in the middle of the group, he is cheeky as well, he’s ahead of his age group in this department. It is not too complicated to get into this team as a mate and he obviously knows Harvey Elliott longer and that’s nice to see. But he’s having an impact when he comes on. He’s top. I really like him.”