LONDON, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 14, 2016: Liverpool's manager J¸rgen Klopp celebrates the 4-3 victory over Arsenal with Alberto Moreno after the FA Premier League match against Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Reports claim Jurgen Klopp not planning to sign a left-back this summer

Despite widespread criticism of current starting left-back Alberto Moreno, Jurgen Klopp is believed to have faith in the Spaniard.

Moreno came under further scrutiny following a poor performance in Sunday’s 4-3 win away to Arsenal to kick off Liverpool’s Premier League campaign.

With James Milner out injured, Moreno is Klopp’s only senior option in this key role, and giving away a penalty in the first half at the Emirates Stadium, the 24-year-old looked far from comfortable.

However, according to widespread reports on Monday night, Klopp is not looking to add another left-back to his squad this summer.

Chris Bascombe of the Telegraph writes that “Klopp pulled the plug on a move for Leicester’s Ben Chilwell when he felt the fee of £10 million was excessive,” claiming the manager “does not believe such funds should be squandered on a full-back.”

Furthermore, the Express‘ Paul Joyce claims that Klopp was “unwilling to pay £20 million for Germany full-back Jonas Hector,” leaving Moreno and Milner as his current options.

Joe Gomez, Ragnar Klavan, Nathaniel Clyne and a host of young players such as pre-season debutant Sam Hart can also fill the role, but Klopp’s reluctance to replace Moreno will be alarming for supporters.

Both Chilwell and Hector have since signed new long-term deals with their clubs, leaving Liverpool short of targets.

ST. LOUIS, USA - Monday, August 1, 2016: Liverpool's James Milner in action against AS Roma during a pre-season friendly game on day twelve of the club's USA Pre-season Tour at the Busch Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Bascombe suggests that Milner will be Klopp’s first choice in the role on his return from an ankle injury, despite the vice-captain not favouring a move from the midfield.

This is far from an ideal option for the Reds, with Klopp bolstering his ranks in almost every other key position this summer.

However, Moreno is not a lost cause just yet, with the Spaniard’s willingness to learn seemingly endearing him to Klopp, who is said to have encouraged him to rampage forward.

The former Sevilla youngster produced a strong run of form at left-back in 2015/16, largely when deployed alongside centre-back Mamadou Sakho.

Sakho is currently nursing a heel injury, and is unlikely to return to first-team football in the near future, leaving Moreno to foster an understanding with his deputy, Ragnar Klavan.

His next opportunity will come away to Burnley on August 20, where supporters will be hoping he improves significantly.


More from This Is Anfield

Fan Comments