Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he isn’t happy with his midfield options amid the injury crisis he is forced to contend with.
The 2022/23 Premier League campaign started in an unsatisfactory manner as Fulham took two points from the Reds in a 2-2 draw at Craven Cottage on Saturday.
Thiago was substituted with what appeared to be a hamstring injury and the club will now be anxious to see what scans reveal.
Speaking after the game, Klopp said: “I know what will now come up, it’s clear.
“We said we don’t need a midfielder because we have enough – and we actually have enough, but the problem now is we get punished for something that is not our responsibility really because things like this can happen.
“Nobody could image that Curtis gets the thing he gets; it is nothing serious but he is a young boy and it is a kind of stress reaction. Bodies are like this. Naby is only ill and he will now be back definitely next week again. Oxlade happened early and now with Thiago that is, of course, not good and we will see.
“Look, a transfer must make sense now and in the long-term; we have midfielders, we have still enough midfielders. It is not that we lack midfielders, but it’s just some of them are injured.
“This is not a good situation, I don’t like it at all, but we have to see how we react on that – but for sure not panicking.”
Liverpool aren’t in a good position and while many have argued that a new midfielder was necessary this summer, it’s now reached a point where it’s inarguable.
Whether or not Thiago or Keita remains fit has always been the balancing ball upon which Liverpool’s midfield depth has teetered upon.
Keita is only ill and will be back next week as Klopp has confirmed but the fact that Klopp was without four of his eight midfielders once Thiago was withdrawn exposes the risky position Liverpool find themselves in.
I think it’s now quite likely that Liverpool dip into the transfer market.
For who, though, I’m not sure but there has already been an increase in links to midfielders over the last few weeks.
According to Calciomercatoweb, Liverpool are interested in signing Inter Milan midfielder Marcelo Brozovic.
However, the report adds that it would be a swap deal including either Naby Keita or Roberto Firmino.
While Liverpool could very well sign a new midfielder a swap deal is extremely unlikely especially for two players who have been reported as being on the club’s list of players to offer a new contract to.