Transfer Centre

Jurgen Klopp: 'It is not the right moment to strengthen the team'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 16 January 2023

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp does not believe that the Reds are in need of strengthening during the January transfer window despite their recent sub-par performances.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has reaffirmed his belief in his "underperforming" players and does not believe that dipping into the transfer market is the right answer to their struggles.

The Reds opened a calendar year with back-to-back league defeats for the first time since 1993 as they were trounced 3-0 by Brighton & Hove Albion in Saturday's Premier League clash.

Klopp's side have also lost to Brentford and drawn with Wolverhampton Wanderers in the FA Cup in 2023, and they will meet Julen Lopetegui's side in their third-round replay on Tuesday.

With Liverpool languishing in ninth in the Premier League table and 10 points adrift of the Champions League places, fans have been calling for new faces during the winter window.

Cody Gakpo has arrived from PSV Eindhoven in a deal that could reach up to £44m, but Klopp has already admitted that he does not expect any more signings to join this month.

Liverpool attacker Cody Gakpo pictured on January 7, 2023 © Reuters

Liverpool are being urged by supporters to strengthen the midfield, but speaking to reporters in Monday's press conference, Klopp insisted that he is already blessed with the necessary players at his disposal and is simply waiting for the Anfield treatment room to empty.

"Is this the right moment to strengthen? I can't see it," Klopp said. "We look outside as well. It is not that we are stubborn [in the transfer market]; that is not how we see it.

"It is about what you can do. Each year is the same. If the solutions were out there, doable and available, of course we would buy players. We have an existing squad and it is underperforming but I cannot blame everyone else.

If you bring in new players they can't all be on the Premier League list. They can't all be on the Champions League list. I have to take responsibility. That is my first concern. We have players, they are just not available."

Liverpool have been working with a depleted attack for a couple of months now, with Diogo Jota (calf) and Luis Diaz (knee) still some weeks away from returning from their long-term problems.

Liverpool's Darwin Nunez celebrates scoring their first goal on January 7, 2023 © Reuters

Roberto Firmino has also suffered a setback in his recovery from a calf problem, while Darwin Nunez missed Saturday's defeat to Brighton after picking up an unspecified issue, joining Arthur and Virgil van Dijk on the sidelines.

Offering an injury update on Monday, Klopp affirmed that Nunez was "very close" to returning, although the quick turnaround means that the striker is still a doubt for the contest, while Stefan Bajcetic and James Milner are both ready to return.

"Darwin is very close but it's Monday and tomorrow is the game. Milner and Bajcetic trained fully. That's it," Klopp added. "We go as strong as we can, but it depends on the situation.

"Not all players who played the last game are available now for different reasons, and we will make changes. We want to win the game. I will take decisions, we will make changes. That makes sense."

Another trip to Brighton awaits Liverpool in the fourth round of the FA Cup if Klopp's side can navigate their way past Wolves on Tuesday evening.