Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp offered the “if it’s not broken, don’t fix it” argument for their lack of activity in the transfer market as he prepared for the Premier League opener at home to promoted Norwich City.
While Liverpool‘s title rivals have strengthened, Klopp’s only purchase was the 1.8 million pounds ($2.18 million) paid for Dutch defender Sepp van den Berg.
“You should go to Everton, I think they are more busy!” Klopp told a reporter referring to their big-spending rivals.
“We will not make signings just for the sake of signing someone. That makes no sense.”
Considering Liverpool finished runners-up to Manchester City by a point, having amaased a colossal 97, then won the Champions League and also have long-term injury absentee Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain available again that is hardly surprising.
“We have lots of options and different lineups,” Klopp said.
With Liverpool kicking off the Premier League season on Friday, they have a chance to lay down an early marker against a Norwich side who won the Championship last year.
Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 12 league games against the Canaries but Klopp says they must start with the sort of intensity with which they ended last season when they won their last nine league games in a titanic title battle with City.
“We have to respect them (Norwich) 100% with the effort and desire we show from the start,” Klopp said.
“It’s the new season and we have to be angry and greedy again and create a football atmosphere.
“The first game of the season is always difficult, Norwich have a clear plan and they have all my respect but these games are always potential banana skins.”
Liverpool’s Senegal forward Sadio Mane may be in contention to start despite only arriving back for training on Monday after being given time off to recover from the Africa Cup of Nations where his country lost in the July 19 final to Algeria.
“He only had two weeks off so he didn’t lose a lot which is the good news and he looks fit,” Klopp said.
“Wednesday was the first session and now he’s been with the team for the first time and he’s in good spirits.”
REUTERS