Klopp on further January additions: “It’s not really likely”

Liverpool are ‘not really likely’ to make any more signings this month, with the January transfer window due to slam shut next Wednesday.

That’s according to Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp who, speaking in his pre-West Brom press conference on Friday, seemed to suggest that the Reds would not be spending any of the £142m that they received from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho earlier this month.

“I could kill all the rumours, but let’s not do that! It’s not really likely”, said Klopp when asked about anymore new signings this month.

READ MORE: Lallana, Milner and Klavan to miss West Brom Cup clash, says Klopp

SWANSEA, WALES – Monday, January 22, 2018: Liverpool’s Danny Ings shoots during the FA Premier League match between Swansea City FC and Liverpool FC at the Liberty Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

There were some interesting comments on Danny Ings, who came off the bench in Liverpool’s loss to Swansea City on Monday.

Klopp is happy with the shape that Ings is in and says the clubs choice to not loan him out this month speaks for itself.

“He’s in really good shape, to be honest, but nothing to say in the moment about the line-up. We had problems last week and during the week, we had a few players ill, not too serious.

“I don’t know (if he will start against West Brom), but Danny’s doing really well and the fact that we don’t give him on loan or something else already shows how our plans are with him. 

“It was a very difficult time, I can imagine, for Danny. When I came in, on the first day he got the injury and since then it was with ups and downs, but meanwhile physically completely there.

“I can’t remember when the last session was that Danny was not involved in. Because of other reasons, different reasons, he didn’t play that often but he’s still a young boy and there’s still a lot of good years to come. So it’s a good situation for him and for us at the moment.”

VIDEO: Jürgen Klopp speaks to the media ahead of Liverpool's FA Cup tie with @WBA.https://t.co/VeoO6BoRDD

— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) January 26, 2018

Klopp suggested that Ings could benefit from regular football elsewhere this season, but clearly feels he could have a part to play at Liverpool between now and the end of the season.

“I think I said it a few times. Maybe if Danny could go somewhere now where he could start the next 20 games, would it be perfect for him? I’m not sure. Of course it would be not too bad to have the opportunity to start a few more games, but I cannot forget our needs.

“We have a lot of games to come and there are a few things I don’t like in the transfer window, especially in January, but very often it feels like the season is over and we didn’t use players in the first half of the season, so why do you need them in the second part of the season? 

“But we have to play a full year and that’s what we did.”

Reporters were also keen to question Klopp on his choice of captain in recent matches, with a different captain selected for Liverpool in each of their last six Premier League matches.

READ MORE: Academy Watch: Liverpool sign Tony Gallacher, U18s crash out of FA Youth Cup

SWANSEA, WALES – Monday, January 22, 2018: Liverpool’s Emre Can looks dejected after missing a chance during the FA Premier League match between Swansea City FC and Liverpool FC at the Liberty Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Emre Can was the last to take on the armband, but Klopp says these choices simply come down to who the longest-serving player is at the club if captain Jordan Henderson and vice-captain James Milner are not available.

“Jordan Henderson is a perfect captain for us. The vice captain is James Milner but if they’re not on the pitch someone needs to wear it.

“On the pitch you need to share responsibility. It was not in my plans to have seven different players (as captain). I’m not disrespectful about this.

“It can be an important job, it depends how you fill the role.

“At this club it’s maybe a bit different because Stevie was the captain for so long so you talk about who can fill this role.

“I’m really happy about Jordan’s captaincy. I just make the line-up and then I realise someone needs to wear the armband.”

"Liverpool will naturally enjoy the lion’s share of possession, but, unlike his predecessor Tony Pulis, Pardew won’t be afraid to commit bodies forward when the time is right."

Our @WBA Opposition Preview with @PaulSuartWBA https://t.co/wQQySo08Nj

— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) January 26, 2018

The Reds’ clash with West Brom is due to take place at 7.45pm on Saturday night, a rare kick-off time for a weekend fixture.

But Klopp is more than happy having a game kick-off at this time.

“I like night games and I think Saturday night is a night on which people in general don’t go too early to their beds. They want to go out in Liverpool afterwards, which is another good thing to do.

“I think it’s a good time to play football, to be honest. Much better than 12 o’clock – I am hungry at 12, but not at 7.45pm!

“I like it and hope people like it as well. It’s a floodlight game and that’s very good. It’s very important that we create a special atmosphere.”

 

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Source: anfieldhq.com