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Jurgen Klopp: There aren't five better centre-halves than what we already have at Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp, the Liverpool manager, has shrugged off criticism of his defensive options heading into the new season, arguing there are few centre-halves better than he has.
Klopp’s interest in Southampton’s Virgil Van Dijk, and the subsequent fall-out, has been well documented, but the Liverpool manager offered an insight into why he has not been tracking alternatives since the aborting of that move in June. If that deal can not be revived before the end of this month, Klopp is not planning to look elsewhere.
“Look out there and tell me five that would make us stronger. Five. Then you win a prize. It’s difficult how it is,” said Klopp.
“We have four. I don’t think we need more. In the moment I’m fine. We are open until August 31. We cannot force the things and we would never get a centre back just because (of the sake of it).
“We have the need, we have some, but you don’t take any. It doesn’t work. I don’t see it (the defence) as a concern.
“There is a bit of a tiredness in the mind because the pre-season has been long. We just came back from the training camp. We will do better when we are fresher.
“I’m happy. You can imagine we are still working on different things and we will see if it works. I am already here to work with this squad and not just always thinking ‘but if we don’t get this or this’. Let’s wait until August 31. Then we will talk about it.”
Following Liverpool’s final warm-up game on Saturday – a 3-1 win over Athletic Bilbao – Klopp suggested if can not add elite targets he is prepared to go into the season without more recruits.
“What I said is the truth. There is all this talking about signings and then you see Alberto Moreno - what a pre-season. You saw it. He has matured 100 per cent,” said Klopp.
“Ryan Kent looked unbelievable, Dom (Solanke) - yes maybe a few guys expected that, maybe not. That’s cool and I cannot ignore it.”
Although Klopp sent his assistants Peter Krawitz and Zelko Buvac to scout Champions League qualifier opponents Hoffenheim on Saturday, he says he will not compromise his selection against Watford in the Premier League next weekend to concentrate on Europe.
The Liverpool squad did not even watch the draw last Friday as Klopp held a team meeting as it was happened. He says the trip to Vicarage Road is the first priority.
“We are only looking at Watford,” he said.
“It’s the first game and then Hoffenheim is the second game. Some things could happen that we can’t avoid but we could leave players behind and then they could slip in the kitchen. You cannot do this. We will play 100 per cent. Maybe Watford will think we don’t have that mindset. It’s my job to make sure that does not happen.
“It’s no secret we want to play Champions League. We got a real tough opponent, they played an outstanding season. They are really good, have a fantastic young manager. We know what we are facing there. Maybe everyone was in front of the TV and thought ‘Young Boys, please’. They are strong yes but if you want to play Champions League you have to beat teams like this.”
Midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum said the players will not be distracted by the European qualifier as they prepare for Saturday.
“To be fair everybody is already busy with the Champions League but we have to play Watford first. We have to start the Premier League good,” said Wijnaldum.
“Everybody is looking too far forward. We have to look first to Watford and then Hoffenheim. It looks like everyone is only busy with Hoffenheim. We must start the Premier League good because it can damage the confidence. At the end of the season you want to play Champions League football again. The first game is always important.”