Pundit points to perfect scenario, if Klopp can sell Liverpool trio
Former Liverpool defender Stephen Warnock says Liverpool can fund a move for Thiago Alcantara by offloading three fringe players by next month.
Thiago had been heavily linked with the Reds all summer, with the club distancing themselves from the speculation.
“If I would invent words that would end speculation I would become rich,” Klopp said.
“Did I mention that Thiago is a really good player? It’s nice we’re linked but that is pretty much it.
“Good player linked to a big club, that is nice. All that I can say on it.”
It was certainly not a denial and the champions are believed to be interested in the Bayern Munich man, whose price tag is around £30m.
Thiago has been mentioned as a replacement for Georginio Wijnaldum, who has yet to commit to a new deal at Anfield.
The Dutch international is out of contract next summer and has been linked with Barcelona.
Klopp has reportedly persuaded Wijnaldum to stay at Anfield. according to Sky Sports. And the German claimed “it is all completely fine” ahead of Saturday’s game with Leeds.
However Warnock still believes Klopp should press ahead with a move for Thiago be giving the green light for deals for Harry Wilson, Rhian Brewster and Marko Grujic.
That would be more than enough to finance a move for the Bayern Munich schemer.
Warnock told Stadium Astro: “There’s a lot of talk around Merseyside that Wijnaldum has to go for the deal to happen. I don’t think that’s necessarily the case.
Klopp’s ideal scenario
“I think the likes of Harry Wilson, Marko Grujic, Rhian Brewster – if these fringe players leave and they raise enough money for the £30m that Bayern Munich are after, I think they’d more than happily keep Wijnaldum.
“I think when you think of adding to that midfield position, Liverpool’s midfield has to be dynamic every single game, they have to play at 100 per cent.
“I think it’s something that Jurgen Klopp has looked at and decided that he needs to be able to rotate in that midfield position more often because of the amount of games that they had last year.
“They have to be able to maintain that at a higher level to retain the title this season. So in an ideal world for Jurgen Klopp, he buys Thiago and he also keeps Wijnaldum as well.
“Harry Wilson’s been out on loan now a couple of times, had a good loan spell at Derby, did well at Bournemouth, he’s been talked about going to maybe Aston Villa or Newcastle, there have been clubs that are interested in him.
“Rhian Brewster, again not in the squad, not involved, but the opportunity to go and play first-team football, Sheffield United apparently interested in him, maybe one or two others later in the window.
“If you can raise the cash from the fringe players that aren’t necessarily going to improve your team, whereas Wijnaldum is a starter for Liverpool.
“He’s your sort of go-to guy in the big games, he always wants to play him in the big games, he knows how reliable he is.
“Would you rather sell him or would you rather sell the players that are going out on loan and raise the funds from that?
“So I think if Jurgen Klopp has the option, he raises the funds from selling two, three players of the fringe.”