Roberto Firmino & Klopp
Jurgen Klopp has rejected suggestions Liverpool need a rebuild in the summer transfer market. A worrying drop in form that has seen the champions win just two of their nine Premier League games this calendar year has left them facing an uphill battle to ensure they are in Europe’s premier competition again next term. That has led to some calls for a summer overhaul of the squad as speculation over transfer plans inevitably intensifies. Klopp, though, stressed that his squad did not need a “rebuild” and believes results have been hurt by the fact he has been unable to play his strongest XI this season because of injuries.
Jurgen Klopp said: “What is a ‘rebuild’ exactly? A rebuild means ten out ten in? Changes to which XI? I know what you mean, but I don’t think it is time for a massive rebuild like how I understand it, [which is] six or seven out, running contracts, but trying to get rid of them and bring in all the new faces. The squad of this year didn’t have the chance to play together one time really. I think it would make sense to have a look at that but on top of that of course little readjustments will happen. Reacting on the situation but planning at the same time for the future and all these kinds of things. I am not sure we can do that in the summer but that is what we will try.”
With Jordan Henderson adding his name to the injury list at Anfield, Klopp says finishing inside the top four this season would represent one of his biggest achievements to date as Liverpool boss. Henderson, who will be sidelined for six to eight weeks after groin surgery, joins Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez on the shelf alongside Fabinho and James Milner.
Jurgen Klopp added: “Yes it would be big [to finish in the top four]. Absolutely. You can see the competitors. Look it is not about the possible performance. The game we played against Leicester we lost, but the performance on the day was one with which the team usually wins. It is about what we can bring on the pitch still. It is all about results. The table doesn’t lie. Never. That is completely fine. We know that points wise we are not that far away, but results wise we are. That is what we have to change and for all the different reasons that it was a difficult season so far for us we always tried to sort it. We try with all we have to sort it and while you try and sort one problem another problem occurs. That is how it is. That is in a season when it is not going perfect obviously. That is for sure the case for us. It means other clubs with big potential – City we don’t need to talk about – United, Chelsea, Leicester, West Ham in and around us. Tottenham have had similar problems to us, Arsenal as well, so there is a distance to go for us. We don’t need to think about that really. We have to think about Sheffield United. If we can do that then we are maybe a step closer and then Chelsea is coming. It is a proper football game. All these kinds of things are going on. If we were to do it in the end, yes, it would be big.”
The Reds return to action when they are hosted by Sheffield United on Sunday evening.
