Jurgen Klopp on whether Liverpool will sign a midfielder: ‘As a manager, I’d like to have more players available’
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has not ruled out the possibility of signing another midfielder, following his side’s 2-1 defeat by Manchester United at Old Trafford on Monday.
Klopp’s side were stunned by United, who picked up their first points of the season and first win under new manager Erik ten Hag.
Liverpool were without several players due to injury, with midfielders Thiago, Naby Keita, Curtis Jones and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain all missing from their squad.
Keita was the only surprise absentee, with Klopp revealing after the game that the Guinea international had picked up an injury in training on Sunday. Against United, Klopp started Harvey Elliott, James Milner and Jordan Henderson, with Fabinho replacing the latter during the second half.
On whether Liverpool will need to add to their midfield options, given Keita’s injury, Klopp replied: “A little difficult (to answer), I’m not really the right person to ask.
“As a manager, I’d like to have more players who are available (to play), naturally. But that’s all I can say. We’re always working on it.
“But whether we can do something, I don’t know.”
Liverpool have signed three players so far this summer, with Darwin Nunez, Fabio Carvalho and Calvin Ramsay joining the club.
Asked about Keita’s injury after the United loss, Klopp said: “Yesterday, he got injured. It needs further assessment, but it doesn’t look like he will be in training tomorrow.
“We need more assessment. He missed yesterday, today, and how much more, I don’t know.”
Liverpool were also missing Diogo Jota, Joel Matip, Ibrahima Konate and Caoimhin Kelleher through injury on Monday, while Nunez was suspended.
But earlier this month, Klopp indicated such injuries would not force Liverpool’s hand in the transfer market.
He had said: “We have too many injuries, that’s true, but in the moment nothing has changed.
“We can’t solve problems we have for four weeks with a transfer. At the moment it makes no sense to us. But the transfer window is still open and we will see, but we have no plans (to make more signings).”
Liverpool are without a win in their first three Premier League matches this season, drawing against Fulham and Crystal Palace before losing against United.
Goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford saw United go 2-0 up against Liverpool, before Mohamed Salah pulled one back.
They are next in action on Saturday, when they host Bournemouth.
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(Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images)