Klopp rules out playing ´monopoly´ in January transfer window

Jurgen Klopp reiterated Liverpool are not prepared to play “monopoly” in the January transfer window after signing Cody Gakpo.

The Reds acted swiftly to land Netherlands forward Gakpo from PSV in a deal that will reportedly cost them around £37million (€42m).

Liverpool confirmed Gakpo’s arrival before the window opened and the 23-year-old watched Friday’s 2-1 Premier League win over Leicester City at Anfield on Friday.

Klopp has stated time and again the Merseyside club are not prepared to splash the cash and the Reds manager says that stance has not changed.

He said ahead of Monday’s trip to Brentford: “I’m now over seven years in the job and every transfer window is the same. We talk about these things as though money wouldn’t play any role.

“I don’t want to disappoint anyone, but we’ve signed an outstanding player in Cody Gakpo and the next thing you read is ‘who’s next?’.

“Honestly, we cannot play like monopoly. Of course we cannot just spend, and we never could. It’s a big part of my philosophy, working full of faith and trust with the players we have, and not constantly questioning them by telling them we need another player for their position.

“I think with Cody it’s obvious, not only because of the void we have, the quality he has, the timing is perfect. If we’d have waited for the summer he’d have been more expensive or someone else would have picked him.

“There’s a lot of potential and it makes a lot of sense with the games we will have; we will only have more games. It’s clear you need to bring quality in all positions. You need two teams on the same level that you can rotate, so that’s what we try to prepare.

“But people are surprised when I then say we won’t be ‘splashing the cash’. Again, if there’s something we can do, with the right player, the right financial situation, we’ll do it. If not, we won’t.”

Cody at Anfield pic.twitter.com/jDsX98uGFb

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 30, 2022

Klopp revealed no members of his squad have requested a new challenge this month.

He added: “Nobody has come to me and asked to leave the club. If that was the case I’d always listen to a player. The last thing I want to do is force someone to stay at Liverpool. But nobody has come here yet ahead of the transfer window opening. Maybe they’re waiting for that.”

Liverpool have enhanced their chances of securing a top-four finish by winning four consecutive Premier League games.