Klopp happy to start season without Van Dijk alternative
Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, has shrugged off criticism of his defensive options heading into the new season, arguing that there are few centre-halves better than those he already has.
Klopp’s interest in Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk, and the subsequent fallout, has been well documented, but the German offered an insight into why he has not been tracking alternatives since that move was aborted in June. If that deal cannot be revived before the end of this month, Klopp is not planning to look elsewhere.
“Look out there and tell me five that would make us stronger. Five. Then you win a prize. It’s difficult how it is,” said Klopp. “We have four. I don’t think we need more. In the moment I’m fine. We are open until August 31. We cannot force things and we would never get a centre-back just because [of the sake of it]. I don’t see it [the defence] as a concern.
“I’m happy. You can imagine we are still working on different things and we will see if it works. I am already here to work with this squad and not just always thinking, ‘But if we don’t get this or this’. Let’s wait until August 31. Then we will talk about it.”
Following Liverpool’s final warm-up game on Saturday – a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao – Klopp suggested that if he cannot add elite targets, he is prepared to go into the season without more recruits.
“What I said is the truth. There is all this talking about signings and then you see Alberto Moreno – what a pre-season. You saw it. He has matured 100 per cent,” said Klopp. “Ryan Kent looked unbelievable, Dom [Solanke] – yes maybe a few guys expected that, maybe not. That’s cool and I cannot ignore it.”
Although Klopp sent assistants Peter Krawietz and Zeljko Buvac to scout Champions League qualifier opponents Hoffenheim on Saturday, he says he will not compromise his selection against Watford in the Premier League next weekend to concentrate on Europe.
“We are only looking at Watford,” he said. “We will play 100 per cent. Maybe Watford will think we don’t have that mindset. It’s my job to make sure that does not happen.”