Liverpool have kept Coutinho and were expected to sign Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk – not signing the latter could be a bigger blow than losing the former.
Jurgen Klopp, manager of Liverpool, reacts as Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain of Arsenal controls the ball.
The big news of transfer deadline day for Liverpool was the capture of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for £35m (BBC) – quite the coup when the midfielder had turned down Chelsea and a new contract at Arsenal to head to Anfield.
Unfortunately, the other expected big new signing for the Reds failed to come to fruition as Sky Sports reported defensive target Virgil van Dijk was staying with current side Southampton.
Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.
Another positive from the window was the club’s firm stance on Philippe Coutinho, with the BBC reporting that Barcelona were repeatedly told he was not for sale after rejecting three separate bids from the Catalans – the latest being around £114m.
Although that is only a positive if the Merseysiders still have the Coutinho of old in their ranks, which is no guarantee with the Brazilian having set his heart on a move to the Camp Nou after handing in a transfer request.
Yet even without the 25-year-old in their team Jurgen Klopp’s men have been an attacking behemoth, most recently tearing Arsenal apart in a 4-0 victory to take their Premier League points tally to seven points and goal count to eight, after three games.
But that was never the issue. The issue in Klopp’s high intensity, counter-attacking style is at the back – as was so blatantly highlighted during the 3-3 opening day draw at Watford.
Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the Premier League match against Middlesbrough.
If Liverpool want to mount a genuine title challenge and compete in the Champions League then they need to be stronger in defence, but instead Joel Matip remains their only reliable performer there with question marks over Dejan Lovren and Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez having been most recently used as a full-back.
Not only that but the sale of Mamadou Sakho to Crystal Palace has further depleted their options in the position. Recruitment was needed and Van Dijk looked to be the answer, but instead they will have to rely on the Klopp formula of counterbalancing a shaky backline with a ruthless attack.
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