JURGEN KLOPP
JURGEN KLOPP has revealed that Liverpool have already had “positive talks” for potential summer signings.
And that will be music to Kop fans’ ears as the club prepares for one of its biggest transfer windows.
Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group are preparing to back Klopp with a huge transfer kitty.
And the German is confident the Reds will be a more attractive option for Europe’s most wanted after the progress they have made over the past 12 months.
Last summer there was still an air of uncertainty about Liverpool after they finished outside the Champions League qualifying places and suffered defeat by Sevilla in the Europa League Final.
Project
But now, with elite European football on the horizon ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Crystal Palace, Klopp is ready to bolster his squad and believes it will be easier than last season.
“I think that Liverpool at this moment is a really interesting project for players,” he said.
“It’s a young team, a fantastic club and a situation where we really can see the progress of the team.
“We feel in a good way and if a player wants to be part of this way, then it’s easier to make this decision this year than last year.
“We cannot say 100 per cent that we will play Champions League football next year.
“But actually not a lot of players told me last year, ‘I don’t want to be part of this, but let me see what happens next year and then we can talk again’.
“It’s more my feeling than anything I could say about what a player thinks. But the talks we’ve had so far are very positive.
“That doesn’t mean it will all work out, but they are really positive and they all see the progress.”
So where does Klopp spend these potentially record-breaking transfer funds? Certain targets have been drawn up already.
Liverpool are eyeing up a £50m move for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk ahead of Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci and Kalidou Koulibaly.
Klopp’s belief that Liverpool are more attractive now will be put to the test in their pursuit of Dutchman Van Dijk because he is also of interest to Chelsea, Manchester City and Everton.
Red Bull Leipzig midfielder Naby Keita is another target and with persistent injury problems for skipper Jordan Henderson and doubts over Emre Can’s future, central midfield is an area that needs strengthening.
Klopp is also eyeing pace on the flanks and Leicester starlet Demarai Gray is a target along with Bayer Leverkusen winger Julian Brandt and Borussia Dortmund attacker Christian Pulisic.
The Bundesliga duo have been long-term targets for the Reds but getting them to sign could still be difficult even if Liverpool secure Champions League football, so Klopp may focus his attentions elsewhere.
The Merseysiders could also be in the market for an out-and-out goalscorer, with serious doubts about Daniel Sturridge staying at Anfield beyond this season, while left-back is another area that will need strengthening.
But any business done will largely depend on securing a return to the Champions League and a slip-up tomorrow against Palace could open the way for their rivals.
Klopp knows his current crop have to deliver before he can be confident of new faces coming through the Anfield door this summer.