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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp content with shrewd transfer business ahead of new season
Jurgen Klopp believes the obsession with Liverpool’s future transfer business means too many have overlooked their shrewd recruitment so far this summer.
The Anfield coach has been frustrated in his pursuit of RB Leipzig’s Naby Keita and Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk, but his new signings Dominic Solanke and Mohamed Salah were on the mark again as Liverpool eased to a 3-0 win over Hertha Berlin in their latest warm-up game.
Andy Robertson also made his first appearance since his £10 million move from Hull City.
“The new players are maybe better than people thought they will be,” said Klopp.
“I think we said it early that we want to build on the squad from last year, and that’s what we’ve tried to do. For the moment, we’re really happy. We don’t have many injuries now, which is the best news and if we can stay fit, we can be very strong. Unfortunately, the other teams are also really pretty strong in England, so we have no choice but to be at our highest.
“We are not where we want to be yet, but that is what pre-season is for. We have to work really hard now, because we’ve got a long, long journey ahead. In this moment, it’s good that everyone looks really positive, in tune, and that’s how it should be.”
Despite the ongoing speculation surrounding his future, Philippe Coutinho caught the eye once more with an assist for Salah’s second half goal.
“I think players like this understand each other. It's a good thing with having players of this quality. I was pleased but it was what I expected.
“We did three training sessions on Friday because we wanted it to feel difficult for the boys.”
Despite the impressive win, there are still defensive issues for Klopp to resolve. Full-backs Nathaniel Clyne and James Milner are injured, and Dejan Lovren was not risked in Berlin because of a tight hamstring.
Striker Divock Origi missed the game for the same reason.
It leaves Klopp with inexperience in his back line, although he was encouraged by Robertson’s debut.
“You could see exactly what he's good at and where he has to improve in 45 minutes - speed, good crosses, flexible and good in defence, apart from one or two situations,” said Klopp.
“He needs to improve but he is a really good boy with a lot of perspectives ahead of him.”
Klopp also revealed a pep talk with youngster Joe Gomez, who has had a difficult two years after a serious knee injury.
“Last night I had a long talk with him,” said Klopp.
“When I came in I saw him for just 20 minutes playing in the Under-21s. Then I saw the injury and I thought: 'Oh my God'. Everybody told me what a wonderful player he is. When he came back he was injured and then when he came back again he was heavy. He had a lot of muscle and you only need muscles like this if you're going to the beach. We had to work on this and now he's back. He lost weight, he's really fit, he looks sharp. There are still things to improve.
“The full-back position is now unbelievably important because Clyney had no pre-season so far, Trent (Alexander-Arnold) is a fantastic player, but also just 18. We need these different options.”