Liverpool may strengthen in Jan - Moore

Published on: 08 December 2017

Liverpool CEO Peter Moore has said the club will "continue to look at acquisitions that will strengthen the squad" ahead of the January transfer window.

Moore also played down speculation that Philippe Coutinho could leave for Barcelona in the winter, telling Sky Sports: "As far as I'm concerned, the squad we have right now is the squad we will go into January with."

Liverpool did not add to their squad last January and also failed to achieve a long-mooted summer move for Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

But Moore suggested manager Jurgen Klopp could make additions this time and dismissed criticism that Liverpool had not spent enough in recent windows.

"The chemistry we bring on to the field isn't about buying the most expensive players," he said.

"We haven't been shy -- people look at the Mohamed Salah acquisition as the best one of the summer and we're already bringing in Naby Keita [from RB Leipzig] next summer.

"That money has been spent, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also been brought in.

"The investments are being made and it's hard to knock what you're seeing on the field now and say: 'Oh, you should be spending more money.'

"What I will say, because I know you are leading up to the question about January, the club continues to look at acquisitions that will strengthen the squad."

Moore said Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group had offered good backing to managers in the transfer market since taking over at Anfield in 2010.

"When I look back at what this squad looked like back in 2010 when FSG acquired it and where we are today, particularly the bench, I think the squad is in great shape," he said.

And addressing continued speculation about the departure of Brazil playmaker Coutinho, Moore said: "We made one statement last year that the player is not for sale and that's the statement the ownership made.

"Every day, you see stories emanating from Spain or wherever that Barcelona or whomever are coming back for Philippe Coutinho.

"I saw a player that was delighted to score a hat trick for his club on Wednesday night [in the 7-0 Champions League demolition of Spartak Moscow].

"The focus right now is on Sunday, when we've got West Brom, and it's all about Philippe on the pitch right now. Nothing I can say right now is going to add to that.

"As far as I'm concerned, the squad we have right now is the squad we will go into January with.

"I don't have a crystal ball, but Philippe Coutinho is a dedicated, intense Liverpool player right now, who is delivering."

Source: espn.co.uk

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