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23rd Dec 2016

Jurgen Klopp drops biggest hint that Liverpool may spend in January

Reds need to keep up the pace in the league

Rob Burnett

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool may dip into the transfer market once the window opens in January.

The Reds will be without new signing Sadio Mane who will be away in January with Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations, and this season’s key player Philippe Coutinho is still out injured.

Coutinho had hoped to be back in action for the game against Manchester City on New Year’s Eve, but today Klopp all but ruled him out of that match.

“Unfortunately we don’t have him back in training,” the Reds boss confirmed at his press conference today. “He makes his training [on his own], there is no reason to think when he is back. There is no rush.

“We have to accept the more or less bigger steps in his improvement. It’s a serious injury, it’s still a decent injury, we need to wait.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 27: Philippe Coutinho of Liverpool goes down injured during the Premier League match between Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool at White Hart Lane on August 27, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)(Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

“Whenever he is back he can help us. We cannot rush it though.”

But while he hopes to have the Brazilian back at some point in January, Klopp will be without Mane, who will be on international duty.

“Sadio will not be involved in January,” he said. “I knew unfortunately he will not be involved in January. We have two games and a few more in January until the window is closing.”

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 19: Sadio Mane (19) of Liverpool celebrates after scoring the winning goal in injury time during the Premier League match between Everton and Liverpool at Goodison Park on December 19, 2016 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)(Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

With Mane away, Kop boss Klopp hinted he may have to bring in reinforcements in the winter transfer window – if he can find the right deal.

“It doesn’t mean we do something – we are looking for somebody, that’s how it should be. We can bring these two windows together, if not we will not do it.”

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