Liverpool Transfer News: Jurgen Klopp Implies Reds Won't Sign Strikers in Summer

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has provided an insight into the club’s summer plans, hinting that a new striker will not be on his wish list in the window.

After only bringing in Steven Caulker on loan in January, the end of the current term is set to be the German’s first chance to stamp his authority on the squad with some new faces.

Per James Pearce of the Liverpool Echo, Klopp feels as though it’s out wide, not up front, where numbers are needed:

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We have to make solutions and we will make solutions. Also maybe players will make solutions and say they do not want to be here any more, so you have to be prepared. ...

We have enough strikers—five with Roberto (Firmino)—but not too many wingers, just a few young ones with great potential. We have to decide early and at the right moment on transfers, but it is about a squad where you can play different systems and react to different situations.

"

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Currently the Reds have Christian Benteke, Daniel Sturridge, Divock Origi and Danny Ings as natural centre-forwards, while Roberto Firmino has deputised in that position at times throughout the campaign.

Sadly for Klopp, the four orthodox strikers still have question marks over them. Benteke doesn’t seem the right fit for the system, Sturridge has problems with fitness, Origi is still raw and Ings is currently recovering from an anterior cruciate ligament injury that has ruled him out for the rest of the season.

As we can see here courtesy of Sky Sports News HQ, while Sturridge scores plenty when on the pitch, he’s not on the field often enough:

Nevertheless, a winger must be on Klopp’s radar. While the squad is awash with midfielders who can play centrally, there are not many options who want to hug the touchline and stretch the pitch laterally.

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Jordon Ibe is one, but he remains a peripheral figure in the squad and a young player who has a lot to learn.

For a manager who is renowned for wanting his XI to move the ball quickly through the field, there is also a distinct lack of pace in the team, aside from when Sturridge is fit enough to feature. 

Bleacher Report’s Sam Tighe feels as though the former Borussia Dortmund boss has another area that needs to be addressed, with Simon Mignolet struggling in goal:

Indeed, you suspect there will be significant change afoot at Anfield this summer. Don’t expect an influx of players—Klopp said seven new signings, the number made by Brendan Rodgers this summer, is “a lot”—but for the manager to target quality in a few key positions.

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Out wide is surely one area that will be addressed. The Dortmund sides that thrived under Klopp had genuine width with players like Marco Reus and Jakub Blaszczykowski being disciplined on the flanks; it’s no surprise to see the German setting his team up so narrow given the options available, but it can make the Reds a little one-dimensional.

If Sturridge can stay fit, then Liverpool’s issues at the point of the attack will be resolved. But history has shown the England man can’t be relied upon for long spells.

If the Reds were to need the likes of Benteke again this term, plenty at Anfield will be disappointed. Despite his comments, that’s surely something that won’t have escaped Klopp’s attention.