Jurgen Klopp would have anticipated the outcome as soon as the rumors spread at the opposite end of the M62.
While the Liverpool manager chooses to avoid social media, he would have been well aware of how fans would have responded had Manchester United initially expressed interest in signing Marcel Sabitzer from Bayern on the last day of the transfer window. Jorginho experienced the same thing when he was about to go from Chelsea to Arsenal.
Klopp is well aware of the calls for the Reds to expand their alternatives in the middle. He still is and was during the summer.
Following Liverpool’s FA Cup loss to Brighton, Klopp proclaimed that the January transfer window was closed. Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven was the only arrival, and he was pleased with it.
The case can only be made for some backers. Many continued to be adamant that the engine room was inadequate and that a new addition was required to improve the Reds’ stuttering performance this season.
Some Kopites wondered why Liverpool couldn’t have made a move for either Sabitzer or Jorginho after seeing both United and Arsenal strengthen in the field where Klopp needs reinforcements.
Following Liverpool’s FA Cup loss to Brighton, Klopp proclaimed that the January transfer window was closed. Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven was the only arrival, and he was pleased with it.
The case can only be made for some backers. Many continued to be adamant that the engine room was inadequate and that a new addition was required to improve the Reds’ stuttering performance this season.
Some Kopites wondered why Liverpool couldn’t have made a move for either Sabitzer or Jorginho after seeing both United and Arsenal strengthen in the field where Klopp needs reinforcements.
While Arsenal strengthened their roster to offer them the best opportunity of winning the Premier League, United moved quickly to replace the injured Christian Eriksen.
Yet the Reds chose to maintain a system that has them mired in ninth place and facing a season without a trophy.
Quality and quantity of players for the rest of the campaign would improve with the addition of Sabitzer or Jorginho. While Jorginho signed a contract with the Emirates that costs £12 million and runs until 2024, United is under no obligation to purchase Sabitzer at the end of the campaign. By today’s standards, that is reasonable.
The famed recruitment team at Anfield would have known as soon as Sabitzer had been made available for loan by Bayern, given that. Also, rumors about Jorginho’s availability started circulating as Chelsea’s interest in Enzo Fernandez began to intensify.
For Liverpool, neither player would have been a viable long-term option. In the summer, major surgery is necessary, with Jude Bellingham and Matheua Nunes among the victims.
Additionally, the Reds are typically unwilling to sign stop-gap players. If there is an injury crisis at a specific position, Klopp is obligated only to sign temporary solutions.
That was when Liverpool signed Arthur Melo on loan from Juventus on the last day of the summer transfer window. Curtis Jones, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita, and Jordan Henderson were all out due to hamstring injuries.
The midfield scenario for the Reds is different right now. The Reds have struggled with injuries this season, and important players Virgil van Dijk, Roberto Firmino, Diogo Jota, and Luis Diaz have joined Ibrahima Konate on the injured list.
However, the figures are good in the engine room. Currently, available players are Harvey Elliott, James Milner, Keita, Jones, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Thiago Alcantara, and Oxlade-Chamberlain. In addition, Arthur’s return to team practice is still a few weeks away, and the emergence of 18-year-old Stefan Bajcetic has been a welcome surprise.
And even if Liverpool had swooped for the newest players from United’s and Arsenal’s respective teams, there would have needed more room in their Premier League lineup. Clubs are limited to submitting a total of 17 non-homegrown players. Gakpo’s arrival has brought them to their peak.
According to Klopp, who stated earlier in the season, Arthur had no recall clause. Therefore he couldn’t return to Juventus. He could have been omitted from the list, but it would be disrespectful. It’s not like the Brazilian did something reprehensible off the field that justifies exclusion. After playing twice for the under-21s, he, unfortunately, injured himself and needed surgery while trying to get fit.
Adrian had to play because every squad needs three senior goalkeepers, and it was impossible to leave him out.
It is tough to accept that Sabitzer and Jorginho have joined, who ought to be Liverpool’s top-four competitors. There is no escaping the truth that both would have benefited Klopp’s team. However, Anfield will have his justifications.