- Jurgen Klopp discusses future of defender Ragnar Klavan
- Liverpool boss keen to keep hold of veteran despite arrival of Virgil van Dijk
- Klavan has started last six games for the Reds
- SEE MORE: Liverpool hit with injury blow – key man out until February
Jurgen Klopp insists he has no intention of selling Ragnar Klavan despite plenty of interest from clubs in Germany.
The Estonian defender is currently enjoying his best run of form since signing for Liverpool in 2016, earning starts in each of the club’s last six games.
His solid form has helped the Reds towards four clean sheets in that time, as well as seeing Klavan stake a claim for more regular opportunities ahead of Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip.
Liverpool’s off-the-radar centre-back is quietly emerging as one of Klopp’s somewhat underrated bargains.
“In this world, especially in England, with big signings and stuff like this, then you see how much we paid for Raggy…!” Klopp told Liverpoolfc.com.
“And how many German clubs have asked me already, ‘Do you think about him [being available for transfer]?’, which we don’t, of course.”
“He is a perfect role model for pretty much all signings. He loves being here. This season, when Joel and Dejan did quite well, he didn’t have 20 games in a row but has stepped up since then.”
“He needs to be confident. He could be much more confident with his skills. That’s his only little problem, if you want – that he doesn’t know how good he actually is. But we are working on that as well.”
Very rarely is Klavan unavailable for selection by Klopp, unlike the likes of Lovren and Matip who persist to sustain disruptive short-term injuries.
The signing from Augsburg has deservedly been handed a run in the team in recent weeks, but will now face serious competition following the £75million deal for Virgil van Dijk.
Liverpool’s club-record acquisition will immediately be eyeing up a starting spot, with Klopp undoubtedly keen to get his new defensive leader settled in quickly ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.
Given the club’s hectic schedule and the chance of key injuries, Klavan remains a valuable member of the squad.