Klopp: I didn’t sign Lukaku because of Sturridge

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Jurgen Klopp has made some interesting remarks on why Liverpool were not interested in recruiting a striker during the summer.

Our rivals all have recognised centre-forwards who’ve started the season in blistering form, leading many to suggest Liverpool need one of our own.

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Chelsea have Alvaro Morata, Spurs have Harry Kane, Manchester City have Sergio Aguero, Arsenal have Alexandre Lacazette and United have Romelu Lukaku…

But Liverpool’s boss prefers to use Roberto Firmino in a false-9 role when everyone’s fit. In many matches it’s worked a treat, but our attack went somewhat stale in September and before today’s game with Newcastle, we’re eight points off the top.

Klopp has rejected these claims though, telling fans that in Daniel Sturridge and Dominic Solanke, we’re well stocked in terms of forwards.

“We have Daniel Sturridge. We all know about his potential. Now he’s fit, so hopefully we can use it,” he said, reported in Manchester Evening News.

“And we have Dom Solanke: for sure the biggest English talent in the number nine position. That’s a fantastic situation.

“Because [Alvaro] Morata is now really working and is a perfect fit, because Lukaku is the perfect fit for Manchester United, because Harry Kane is now scoring [for Tottenham], because [Alexandre] Lacazette is doing well… we had other things we felt we needed to do first.

“For us, the market was not really there. We had no chance for [Romelu] Lukaku. That would have been an interesting move. You cannot buy just because you think you will not score enough. We have enough chances and we will score.”

The truth is that Klopp’s style doesn’t necessarily suit a traditional goal-poacher, as he demands all his attackers press, defend from the front and interchange positions.

When we’re on-song, this tactic is capable of tearing anybody apart – but sometimes – teams need to win a game where the forward converts the only clear-cut chance.

This rarely happens with Liverpool, who are notorious chance missers. 

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