Jurgen Klopp to Real Madrid query may force Liverpool into sealing three transfers
Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp rues missed chances
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Liverpool crashed out of the Champions League at the hands of Zinedine Zidane’s Real Madrid on Wednesday night, leading to Jurgen Klopp facing some questions from Reds supporters. The Liverpool boss came under fire for his team selection with Diogo Jota and Thiago Alcantara named on the bench.
Liverpool needed to score at least two goals to progress to the semi-finals, but were unable to take their chances in a disappointing result.
It means there will be no silverware at Anfield this season with a fight on their hands to finish inside the top four.
It’s the first time in Klopp’s reign as Liverpool manager that the club have taken a backwards step having previously enjoyed a steady rise in each season since he took over in October 2015.
For the majority of Liverpool fans, Klopp remains the man they want in charge for the future and he looks unlikely to leave with his contract not expiring until 2024.
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But there have been growing rumours in Spain that Real will try and test Liverpool’s resolve in trying to prise the German coach away to replace Zinedine Zidane this summer.
Enrique Riquelme, who was a Real Madrid presidential candidate before Florentino Perez was elected to his sixth term in charge of the club, admitted that Klopp was on the top of his list to replace Zidane.
And the French boss was even asked about the prospect of Klopp being the man to replace him at Real ahead of the Champions League quarter-final second leg tie this week.
Zidane said: “If Jurgen Klopp would be a good coach for Real Madrid? I don’t know.
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“For the moment, I am the coach of Real Madrid, and Klopp is that of Liverpool.”
While Liverpool may feel confident that Klopp hasn’t got wandering eyes following their dismal season this campaign, the speculation could also kick them into gear in the transfer market.
Other than the signings of Thiago and Jota last summer, Liverpool have been relatively quiet in the transfer market for the past five windows.
But with Liverpool currently 22 points behind league-leaders Manchester City, there is a need to make some big changes in the summer.
Priority number one will be giving Klopp enough options in defence to avoid a similar situation to what happened this year.
Ibrahima Konate appears to be the top choice with reports suggesting that a deal is close to being signed.
Liverpool have also looked uninspiring in recent weeks up front, despite Mohamed Salah scoring 28 goals in all competitions this season.
Signing another top attacker capable of stepping in to provide goals will be key with players such as Divock Origi and Xherdan Shaqiri expected to leave Anfield.
And they will also want to bring in a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, who looks set to leave as a free agent when his contract expires in the summer.
Liverpool have been careful in not overspending in the transfer market, but now is the time to back their manager when he needs it most.
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