Press Conference Analysis: Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp on Coutinho, transfer business and De Boer

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Jurgen Klopp had plenty to say as he met the media at Melwood ahead of his club’s first home fixture of the season. The Liverpool Echo reported the key quotes of Klopp’s quotes with Philippe Coutinho once again a hot topic. The Brazilian was ruled out of this weekend’s fixture with a back injury, but Klopp was keen to deny quotes from Barcelona that he could be close to a move to the Spanish side as he said:

“I don’t know why other people are saying what they’re saying. I don’t even know him [Barcelona general manager Pep Segura, who said a deal was close]. I have never met him. We have already said what we have to say. No news from me. Nobody told me anything different since we spoke last time. Since he had a back problem he is not in training. I have nothing bad to say about this. I have nothing to say about his attitude. He has a back injury. Medical department have no complaints. We are not silly, we know it is a very difficult situation – but there’s nothing new to say. It’s not always easy for me to say the 100 percent truth, even if I don’t like to lie. But this time this is the situation.”

Whether or not Coutinho’s injury is real is uncertain, but Klopp is clearly convinced that it is. His quotes do not suggest that the club are in any hurry to sell the Brazilian or as if they are looking for replacements, instead seemingly ready and waiting for him to return from injury. That being said, with Coutinho originally only doubtful for Tuesday’s game against Hoffenheim, it seems strange that he is still yet to train five days later.

If Coutinho does leave the club, then it does seem inevitable that the club will move in the transfer window. However, Klopp refused to confirm his plans for the remaining fortnight of the transfer window as he said:

“Unfortunately my English is not good enough to give 500 different answers to the same question! But if the transfer window had ended yesterday we already have a team I like. The transfer window is a very important time, but it’s also important what we do with the actual team. A few things on both sides (can happen). Everything leads to the 31st of August. It’ll be a busy day, I don’t know if we will be involved.”

Klopp is clearly happy with his squad at the moment, which may suggest that more signings are unlikely. That would mean that Mohamed Salah and Andrew Robertson would be the only summer arrivals, and Klopp had praise for the latter despite him being left out of the 18 man squad in Germany in midweek. Klopp explained the decision to leave the Scottish international out by saying:

“He’s in a good moment, developing well. Everything fine from my side. He came in late and has to adapt to our style. It is difficult with specialists (left footed defenders), you play or you are not in the squad. We came back yesterday had a little session. It was an intense game in Hoffenheim. Things will change during the season. I have told them. As a player it’s not easy. The rule is if you train really well, work hard, everything will be perfect.”

Robertson may come into contention this weekend against Crystal Palace, but it does seem unlikely after a good performance on Tuesday. Klopp is clearly aware of the threat posed by the Eagles as he discussed Frank de Boer and his Crystal Palace side, who suffered a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Klopp’s close friend David Wagner and his newly promoted Huddersfield team last weekend. Klopp said:

“We know how they play and how plans change. It was unlucky for them. They want to strike back, I’m sure. We all need results. I have no time or space to think about what Frank de Boer could face at Crystal Palace. I know him from his time at Amsterdam. Always a football playing side, but Ajax is different. We will see. I’m not sure they have finished their ideas. Second matchday I don’t think everything is like it should be. It’s about getting results at this moment.”

The two sides met in pre-season in the Premier League Asia Trophy but the German did not believe that the fixture could have any baring on this weekend’s clash. Klopp explained the differences but also acknowledged that Palace would be tough opposition as he said:

“We played them a few weeks ago – but Phil [Coutinho] and [Wilfried] Zaha were on the pitch. We know it is a tough game. Probably both teams not overly happy (with first game). We were not overly disappointed but it’s how a first game can be.”

Clearly, one key factor is that Liverpool will be playing in front of a home crowd. The Reds suffered only two home defeats last season, with one of them coming against Sam Allardyce’s Crystal Palace in April as former Liverpool striker Christian Benteke scored twice to sink the Reds. Klopp is looking forward to returning though as he said:

Having avoided defeat on home turf until January last season, the Reds will be keen to replicate that kind of home form and will be desperate to put an end to a run of three consecutive home defeats to the south London side.