Liverpool Transfer News: Jurgen Klopp Talks January Plans, Praises Reds Squad

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has dismissed the notion he is set to revamp his squad in January, as he says he has "complete trust" in his players to achieve their target of a top-four finish this season.

According to the Mirror's David Maddock, Klopp believes there is enough quality at Anfield already as the Reds seek a return to the Champions League. He said:

"

With the squad at this moment, I don’t feel we have to look for somebody else just because they cost £20 million.

At this moment, we have no problems with quality. We have problems sometimes maybe with concentration and maybe with other things... but we don’t know if the next player we can get will do it better.

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He also feels there is enough depth in the squad to cope with injuries, adding:

"

We now have two players for each full-back position, four centre-backs, Jordan Henderson [who had been out injured since August] in midfield for the first time, other offensive midfield players, and we have more strikers than other teams, so where is the space?

Should we send four players away to take one, and then the next day he’s injured?

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Indeed, following yet another summer of recruitment—which saw the likes of Christian Benteke, Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne and Danny Ings brought in, perhaps the only obvious area the Reds are truly lacking in their squad is some natural width, as Jordon Ibe is their only real winger.

Many Reds fans might also hope to see goalkeeper Simon Mignolet replaced, though recruiting a new long-term No. 1 will be difficult in January.

Of course, for Liverpool to get to where they truly want to be—consistently challenging for the title—more top talent is needed in all areas, but for the time being they still stand a strong chance of finishing in the top four with their current pool of players.

Scott Heppell/Associated Press

With Chelsea struggling in the bottom half, and league leaders Leicester City likely to slip out of the top four eventually, it seems Liverpool will possibly face a straight fight with Tottenham Hotspur for the remaining Champions League place.

The other three will likely to be sewn up by Manchester City, Manchester United and Arsenal, though their current inconsistency by no means guarantees that.

Klopp did not completely rule out delving into the market if necessary, though, and he seemed to indicate one area of interest would be the centre-back position. Per Maddock, he said:

"

Kolo Toure is the fourth centre-back because of his age. Right now he’s always available but maybe next week it’s different.

We have to think about something like this. If we need something, we will do it. No one should be in doubt we are prepared for any situation.

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Liverpool's defence has been one of their Achilles' heels in recent years, though so far this season they have for the most part performed fairly well—17 goals conceded in 15 Premier League games is not exceptional by any means, however, they're currently on course to concede less than the 48 they did last year.

Still, with what is likely to be a closely contested race for the four Champions League spots looming in the second half of the season, any quality additions—even if just for the bench rather than the first team—could still give the Reds the edge over Spurs or any other challenger that may emerge.

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Klopp's faith in his own players might equally be rewarded, though. Per Maddock, he said:

"If your boss thinks you’re not in the best day in your life and thinks, 'Maybe I’ll replace him,' that is not how the world should run. It’s much more important to put your trust in people, and that trust should last longer than a couple of days."

The German's attitude is not only admirable, it could also serves to bring the best out of his players. Bundesliga expert Clark Whitney highlighted this as one of his strengths:

If Klopp can make this team greater than the sum of their parts, the top four becomes a much more achievable goal regardless of investment.

For the players, knowing they have their manager's full confidence can only help in that regard.