Klopp: We Will Spend

In case you didn't know, Liverpool will spend money in the summer transfer window to improve the squad. Jürgen Klopp addressed this at some length, but it doesn't really change anything until we see the type of players being signed to help Liverpool make whatever the next step is next season. The manager was clear on the goal of everyone connected to making decisions regarding recruitment.

“The club have never said to me that a certain figure is too expensive; that has not happened yet and I don’t expect it to happen,” Klopp said about Liverpool’s summer transfer plans. “We all have the same plan, the sporting director, scouting department, owners, myself – we all want to make this club as successful as possible so we will spend money in the summer. Of course we have to improve the squad, that is clear.”

The January window was a source of much discussion and disappointment as it was clear that Liverpool needed support with injuries in attack and Sadio Mané on international duty. Klopp has already stated that there were no opportunities to buy players targeted by the club, but wingers did seem to be on the agenda. A move for Julian Draxler was reportedly abandoned due to wage demands, Christian Pulisic was as unavailable in January as he was last summer, and Julian Brandt is a top target for the summer.

“We could have done with one or two players in January, when we had injury problems and the Africa Cup, but the transfer window didn’t give us any opportunity,” Klopp admitted. “We will be prepared for the summer window, for sure. We are working on it already – we might need between two and six players.”

Five or six transfers would be interesting. Such a number will at least drive the “six players Liverpool will sign this summer” transfer stories to keep everyone occupied between the remaining 12 games this season. Klopp, however, added a little bit of extra information that many fans are bound to take in different ways.

“We need to make the right transfers,” Klopp said. “It is not about money – we can go for the players we want – but at the very top level you might be competing with Barcelona or someone.

“Some players would rather live in London or Manchester instead of Liverpool, so we have to make a decision and try and make it happen. It might not be possible to break even again; that just happened last season, it was not a target. There will be a few new faces in summer, that is how it is always.”

If we’re going to play the five or six players who should come to Liverpool game to distract our minds before a big game against Arsenal, we should indulge in a bit of fun. Finishing in the top four would make signing quality players somewhat easier, but there are teams that manage to sign good players irrespective of whether they can offer Champions League or Europa League football.