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“The right thing now, you don’t get” Jurgen Klopp defends Liverpool’s lack of signings in January

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By Rohan Sengupta

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has tried to justify his decision of not bringing in new faces following the sale of Philippe Coutinho and loan departure of Daniel Sturridge in January.

Coutinho made his dream come true by moving to Barcelona in a staggering £142m deal and many expected Klopp to spend some amount of money and bringing in a new player.

However, prior to the Brazilian’s move, the Reds strengthened their defence by signing Virgil van Dijk from Southampton. Despite Coutinho leaving the club last month, Klopp stayed calm and stuck to his point of making better deals after the end of the season rather than spend astronomical figures in January.

Then came the exit of Sturridge to West Brom on loan until the end of the season. Fans and critics questioned Klopp’s decision to let the striker leave but the manager remained unmoved.

Klopp has now attempted to justify the lack of signings in the winter transfer window by saying (as quoted by the Express):

“Yes, we could have done something. But we need really the right thing. The right thing now, you don’t get.

“The 100% right thing, only for completely crazy money that really makes no sense. I’m not even sure that would work. And in the summer it looks different.”

It indeed seemed like a crazy decision from Klopp to not get a replacement for Sturridge, if not Coutinho. We are heavily stacked in midfield; so not getting a replacement for Coutinho last month was justified. But to allow Sturridge without any backup seemed naïve from our gaffer and I hope it doesn’t come back to haunt us.

Regardless of his lack of game time, Sturridge would have been an experienced backup for Roberto Firmino as we remain in the fight to finish in the top-four and challenge for the Champions League.

Sturridge’s exit leaves the Reds light in attacking firepower. Apart from Firmino, Klopp has the likes of Dominic Solanke and Danny Ings to bank upon. While Solanke is too young to handle the pressure in big games, Ings has just returned from a long-term injury and it would take time to see him in good shape before he starts banging goals again.

So by all means, Klopp’s decision, knowing we still have a lot to play for in the league and of course Champions League, was ludicrous.