Klopp reveals ‘new’ Liverpool star and hints at further late additions
Jurgen Klopp admits that he might dip into the transfer market again before the summer window closes but feels the return from loan of a midfield starlet is like a new signing.
Liverpool have added just one new face since the end of last season. The Anfield outfit’s defensive injury woes last term meant the arrival of a centre-back was always likely. And the Reds paid RB Leipzig £34m for France Under-21 star Ibrahima Konate to bolster the rearguard.
Many players have been linked to the north-west giants but, Konate side, Klopp has kept his powder dry. There are now just six days left before Liverpool begin their 2021-2022 campaign away to Premier League new boys Norwich City.
And Klopp’s men completed their preparations with a 1-1 draw against Spanish side Athletic Bilbao on Sunday afternoon. The German tactician confessed he is content to work with what he has but teased the possibility of a late signing.
“I am very happy with the squad I have,” he told reporters. “You can’t sign counter-pressing, the atmosphere, our anthem. There are different approaches out there but we have no influence on that.
“There might still be something happening before the end of the transfer window.”
Klopp hints at youngster’s progression
Liverpool signed Harvey Elliott from Fulham in the summer of 2019. The winger became the youngest-ever player to start a match for the club in September that year.
That was against Milton Keyes Dons in the EFL Cup while he made two cameo appearances in the Premier League. The Chertsey-born ace penned his first professional contract with Liverpool last summer. He was then loaned to Blackburn Rovers for 2020-2021.
And he responded with seven goals and 11 assists from 31 starts and 41 Championship appearances. Now back at Anfield, the 18-year-old has impressed in pre-season and played 84 minutes against Bilbao.
Klopp enthused about the starlet. And he suggested that it is not always the answer to pay millions when you have talent on the doorstep.
“We have a new midfielder in our squad in Harvey Elliott,” he added. “We have players who can make a big step. We are not blind. We see what others are doing. We just have to be able to beat them.
“Harvey can play different positions. In pre-season we wanted to see him in a deeper role and he’s made a big step in the pre-season.
“If he stays fit then the football world can be really excited about that. I really liked his performance and attitude in pre-season.”
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