Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp has been speaking about what might happen in the transfer market in the summer, with the Reds knowing they need to be active.
Jürgen Klopp has confirmed that despite the good recent performances of Stefan Bajčetić and Harvey Elliott — and with no update on those players who are out of contract at the end of the season — Liverpool ‘knows’ what must be done at the end of the campaign.
Naby Keïta and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain are both set to depart on free transfers, joining Roberto Firmino in heading for the exit door, and those players will therefore need replacing without there being incoming fees to reinvest (though Cody Gakpo may already have been signed to succeed the Brazilian).
Meanwhile, James Milner could also leave and Arthur Melo will return to Juventus, where he has been on loan from for the season, possibly without adding to his 13 minutes on the pitch for Liverpool, which came against Napoli.
As well as Bajčetić and Elliott, if all of those above left, that would leave Klopp with just four other senior midfielders at Liverpool (six in total): Thiago Alcântara, Jordan Henderson, Fabinho and Curtis Jones.
And that is exactly why Klopp is more than aware that investment is needed in that area of the squad, with space to bring in at least two players — and arguably more.
We know exactly what we need; that didn’t change,” Klopp told reporters ahead of the Bournemouth game.
“I wouldn’t say when we started our plans, [in] September, October, that Stefan was already involved in all of these talks, but, of course, he is now. It would be crazy if not.
Harvey always was and always will be; he is a top player and he’s really happy. He had to improve slightly defensively but his offensive contribution is really interesting for each football team; he’s a really smart player — good vision; technique really good.
“We need players. We cannot go in with three midfielders in a season. We count on them, definitely. There’s a lot to come from both the boys, and from others as well — we still have other young players here.
We count on them, but that doesn’t mean we will not have a look in the summer.”
Jude Bellingham is Liverpool’s main target, but the big question is whether Bajčetić’s emergence means that the Reds only now need one player alongside the Borussia Dortmund man, as long as that deal is concluded.
Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp. (Image: Photo by John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
Bellingham is set to cost a club-record transfer fee, with Mason Mount and Matheus Nunes seemingly among the options being considered.
Signing two players would make that an eight-strong midfield group — more than enough numbers-wise with more reliable players among that contingent and more young stars like Bobby Clark and the returning Tyler Morton hoping to take the next step.
Not needing a third player in that position could also perhaps leave funds for moves elsewhere across the pitch, with a center-back possibly becoming a priority should one of the current crop leave, and Caoimhín Kelleher among the fringe players who could decide to make an exit in search of more minutes.
