Liverpool transfer news LIVE: Klopp on business, Fekir snub, deadline day move collapsed

Liverpool transfer news LIVE: All the latest rumours and gossip from Anfield

  • Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed the club’s list of transfer targets was all finalised BEFORE the Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.
  • Liverpool were the ones who failed to restart negotiations for Lyon star Nabil Fekir after the World Cup, despite the claims of club president Jean-Michel Aulas.
  • Ragnar Klavan almost left the Reds on deadline day, only for the club to reject a late bid from Newcastle

Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool’s transfer business was planned before the Champions League final – and not altered all summer.

The transfer window closed at 5pm on Tuesday for English clubs but Liverpool’s activity was long since done before then.

The Merseyside outfit spent more than any other Premier League side this summer as they recruited Naby Keita – in a deal that was pre-agreed 12 months ago – Fabinho, Xherdan Shaqiri and new No 1 Alisson Becker.

“Everything was already fixed and clear what we wanted. All decisions were made to that point already. I think our areas were obvious,” Klopp said.

“If Alisson was not on the market, we don’t move for a goalkeeper. He was on the market so we went for it.

“One left, one came in. Phil [Coutinho] left before then Naby came in. It is not the same type of player but it is a similar position at least.”

Liverpool were the ones who pulled out of the deal for Nabil Fekir this summer, not Lyon.

The Premier League side were firm favourites to land the Lyon star during the transfer window.

However, the Reds decided it was just too much of a gamble considering the financial commitment at stake, according to the Liverpool Echo.

The transfer fee wasn’t the only stumbling block.

Fekir’s £100,000-a-week wages were also a concern for Liverpool.

The playmaker suffered a serious knee injury in 2015 and Liverpool feared there was a high risk of him aggravating it once he joined them after the World Cup.

Liverpool rejected a deadline day offer for Ragnar Klavan from Newcastle.

The centre-back will be fourth choice at the club this season behind Virgil van Dijk, Dejan Lovren and Joel Matip.

But according to The Chronicle, Jurgen Klopp turned down a late bid from the Magpies.

Newcastle instead turned to Swansea City defender Federico Fernandez.

Klavan will miss this weekend’s curtain raiser through injury.

Ian Wright believes Liverpool are now ready to challenge Manchester City for the Premier League title.

The Reds have spent big in the transfer market, bringing in four new arrivals this summer.

And Wright believes they can now give Pep Guardiola’s side a run for their money.

“I want this season’s title race to be more spicy and I think it will be,” he told the BBC.

“If Liverpool can get some impetus, then we don’t know how Manchester City will react under pressure if a team can stay close to them at the end of the season.

“You also have to consider that Liverpool are City’s Kryptonite. That’s why I am backing Jurgen Klopp’s side to pip them to the title.”