Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has insisted that his squad does not need a summer rebuild, despite their failure to mount a meaningful title defence.
The Reds have been decimated by injuries this season but their drop off in form has still been alarming and Klopp’s men currently sit sixth, 19 points behind leaders Manchester City.
Captain Jordan Henderson, who has been deputising in Liverpool’s defence, became the latest player to join the club’s injury list, with the England midfielder ruled out until April after undergoing groin surgery.
Central defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez are likely to miss the rest of the campaign with knee problems, while Joel Matip has been ruled out until next season. Fabinho (muscle), Naby Keita (ankle) and James Milner (hamstring) are also sidelined.
Klopp said the sheer number of injuries had prevented him from playing his strongest team.
“I don’t think it is time for a massive rebuild like how I understand it, [which is] six or seven out, running contracts, but trying to get rid of them and bring in all the new faces,” Klopp told a news conference ahead of Sunday’s trip to Sheffield United.
“The squad this year didn’t have the chance to play together one time really. I think it would make sense to have a look at that, but on top of that, of course, little readjustments will happen.
“Reacting on the situation but planning at the same time for the future and all these kinds of things. I am not sure we can do that in the summer but that is what we will try.”
Additional reporting by Reuters.
