Jurgen Klopp has ruled out making any approaches for Gareth Bale and a emotional return for Philippe Coutinho.
There has been a growing school of thought that the Reds need someone with that extra bit of dynamism coming from midfield.
It's not that the middle three did not do their role last season in fact far from it, their workrate was unparalleled, continuously outworking their opponents.
But with the absence of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain in particular, a creative touch was occasionally lacking, leading to the front three carrying much of the scoring load.
While Klopp may have heard the outside noise, he has stayed true to his beliefs that his current squad have what it takes to take that extra step in the title race.
Firstly, Sky Sports reported Klopp speaking about the current Real Madrid man.
"These fantastic football players have some strange ideas.
"I respect them all so much, but they probably only say these things because somebody asked them.
"Bale is a Real Madrid player and if he leaves it will be outstandingly expensive and big wages.
"He is an outstanding player, I like him a lot but it is not about him. You have to create a team. A team is not a collection of the best individual players, they have to work together.
"Liverpool is a long-term project. The team is really good. Will there be difficult situations? Probably.
"There would be if we bring in a new player, or two or three.
"I didn't say we won't do anything, it is going to be a big window for sure but people don't think about the people who are already in.
"Sometimes you have to calm the situation down, pay your bills, have a normal life and live in the house before you build a new one."
While the Bale rumour came from the clouds and never seemed likely, there was a growing hope that the club may look at bringing Coutinho 'home' after he has had what can only be described as a extremely tough 18 months at Barcelona.
However ESPN reports that Klopp putting a big red line through that possibility.
"In general, Phil Coutinho helps each team in the world, still -- 100%,"
"It's not about that. I like Phil, I think he's a fantastic footballer and all that stuff, but it would be a big, big, big, big, big, big, big, big-money signing and it's not our year for that.
"It's just not possible.
"As I said, having him would make each team better -- us included -- but I really hope that he finds his luck at Barcelona.
"Or maybe he found it there. We have contact, but not that close contact that I know exactly how he is doing, but the rest is only newspaper talk and stuff like that.
"If everything was true what newspapers write about me -- wow!
"If it's similar to what they write about me, I would say he's completely happy at Barcelona and wants to sign a new six-year contract or whatever."
Say what you like about what has transpired this summer, but Klopp has not deviated one inch from his overall view of the current squad and what he feels he may require or in this case doesn't need.
Recommended Comments
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.