Jurgen Klopp confirms Liverpool transfer decision following Lavia and Caicedo setbacks
Liverpool head coach Jurgen Klopp has made a decision regarding his squad after seemingly missing out on top transfer targets Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia
Jurgen Klopp confirms Liverpool transfer decision following Lavia and Caicedo setbacks
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has assured Thiago Alcantara of his future at Anfield after meeting with the midfielder, as the Reds prepare to be disappointed in their pursuits of Moises Caicedo and Romeo Lavia. Chelsea is lining up a combined £170 million deal for the Merseyside club’s top two midfield targets, and failing to capture both players might allow Thiago to extend his Premier League career.
Due to injuries and a plethora of options in the midfield, the Spain international has been linked with a move away from the club after only playing a minor role last season.
The 31-year-old has piqued the curiosity of several clubs, with Saudi Pro League team Al-Ahli submitting a £10 million (€12 million) bid for the playmaker earlier this summer.
After speaking with the Spaniard regarding his role in the squad this season, Klopp insisted the midfielder will be a vital part of their midfield.
“He’s now training, he came in and asked about his role, and we spoke,” Klopp said at a press conference on Friday.
“He’s a very experienced player, and he stepped up in that area.” He’s only been in team training for a week, but he’s quite loud and will be very useful to us.”
Thiago is one of the few remaining midfielders from last season’s club after Klopp oversaw a significant makeover of his midfield options. Fabinho and Jordan Henderson joined Al-Ittihad and Al-Ettifaq in the Arabian Gulf, while Naby Keita, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, and James Milner all left on free transfers.
Liverpool negotiated a British transfer record fee of £110 million to sign Caicedo from Brighton on Friday morning, only to have Chelsea respond with a last-ditch bid to sway the 21-year-old’s decision.
The Ecuadorian is now focused on joining Mauricio Pochettino’s side, while Klopp is irritated because Lavia, 19, might soon join him in the capital.
The Reds have had three bids rejected by Southampton, who have requested £50 million for the Belgian teenager, and their inability to pay the asking price has cost them dearly, with Chelsea on the verge of completing a £55 million deal. Thiago will at least join new acquisitions Alexis MacAllister and Dominik Szoboszlai in Klopp’s midfield three.
Thiago has only recently recovered from his most recent injury problem and is now back in training with the rest of the club ahead of their Premier League opener against Chelsea.
He underwent surgery for a long-standing hip condition that kept him out of action for the later stages of the season, and he is gradually regaining full health. However, he will not be fit to start the encounter at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and may not appear at all during their visit to the west London club.
