Klopp explains Liverpool’s transfer frustrations

Jurgen Klopp has said he wants to bring new players to Liverpool this month, but clubs are unwilling to negotiate until at least the summer.

The Reds lost more ground in the title race after their shock 3-2 defeat at the hands of Swansea on Saturday, and it came as no surprise to see the Liverpool boss quizzed about potential new signings as their rough patch of form continued.

Klopp is yet to sign any new players this January, and signed only Marko Grujic and Steven Caulker at this stage last season. We brought you five mistakes the German has already made this month; could the lack of purchases be the sixth?

“I understand it is absolutely normal that people ask whether we should have brought players in,” he told The Guardian.

“The situation is yes, on the one side pretty simple, but on the other hand it is pretty difficult. It is not that we don’t want to bring players in. We do.

“But the thing is, the players we want because we think they help us, the clubs don’t sell. It is not about money in this situation, it is the winter transfer window.

“Clubs are saying ‘no, we have half a year to go, we cannot find another player like this, we prefer to take money in the summer than a few pounds more in the winter than whatever’.

“So it is pretty easy. You see the situation. It’s tight, it’s close, we know that, but if the right decision is not possible in signing the right player then you cannot make the wrong transfer.”

Klopp also reiterated that he will not buy for the sake of it and also cited a lack of options as another reason why Liverpool have been unable to strengthen this month.

“It is not as if there are 20 players out there who could make this team stronger, who are running around and are available,” he added.

“That is the situation. That is why I say we know the situation, we are prepared to move, but for the right player. We are not the only side who can decide the outcome of that, though, are we? The selling club makes the decision too.”