Liverpool won’t sign Coutinho replacement in January — Klopp
LONDON: Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp said his club will not be able to replace Philippe Coutinho in the current transfer window, adding that he needs to use tactics rather than transfers to achieve his objectives this season.
Coutinho left the Merseyside club for Barcelona this month in a deal worth 142 million pounds ( US$ 200 million) but Klopp insists the club will not look for shortterm solutions in the transfer market.
“Philippe Coutinho is not to be replaced in this transfer window. Why pay Barca a big amount of money for a player like Phil Coutinho? Because he’s pretty rare,” Klopp told a news conference on Monday.
“We have to stop thinking about it. It’s not about replacing anybody. It’s about using our own opportunities, tools, players, tactics, formations, al l that stuff.”
Since Coutinho’s departure, Liverpool defeated runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City 4 - 3 before suffering a shock 1-0 loss to bottom side Swansea City.
They also bowed out of the FA Cup in the fourth round following a 3-2 home defeat by struggling West Bromwich Albion but Klopp said Coutinho could have done little to change the results.
“Against Swansea, it was the formation, against West Brom it was defending. I don’t think Phil would have helped a lot in these situations,” the manager added.
“The solution is not out there on the transfer market at the moment. We always have open eyes but we really think we have to use our players. In the longterm we will do a lot, in the shortterm, I don’t think so.”
Meanwhile, Daniel Sturridge joined West Bromwich Albion on loan unti l the end of the season, Liverpool announced on Monday.
The England striker was once a major star alongside Luis Suarez and Raheem Sterling at Liverpool but has fallen out of favour under Klopp and has only started five league games for the Reds this season, scoring twice.
The 28-year-old, who was born in nearby Birmingham, has scored 74 Premier League goals over the course of his career, which has also seen him turn out for Manchester City and Chelsea.