I get that but we're not that unique that we couldn't find a CB to fit into how we play.
That's a poor excuse to be honest. I know JĂźrgen likes to get his players up to speed with how we play before trusting them but he's not that rigid that there isn't an option short term who could help the situation.
I think the point is that as a club we just don't do short term signings anymore. Steven Caulker was probably the last stop-gap signing and I think he ended up playing as a striker more often than not! As Klopp said quite some time ago, he "preferred training to transfers".
According to a source at the club (via the Athletic): "Short term fixes aren't what this club is about anymore. It's not how we arrived where we are. It makes sense to sign a CB for three to four years, not four or five months. And they are not available without being financially irresponsible in this window."
Clearly finances are an issue, considering how important it was for the Jota and Thiago signings that the majority of the fee was to be paid later, with a smaller up front payment. Our estimated revenue losses are estimated to be over ÂŁ100m and rising.
If the right player, at the right fee, suddenly became available in January we would make a move I'm sure, but we won't take someone we're not 100% sold on just because he's available and we are in the midst of an injury crisis. Whether you agree or disagree with that, it's just how we seem to operate now.
According to the Athletic we made contact in November about Ozan Kabak. Initial discussions were had, but for whatever reason they went no further. Kabak is expected to move elsewhere. Other primary targets, Upamecano and Ben White, are not available in January. We were apparently not at all interested in Sven Botman, now or in the summer, and the suspicion is that our name was being used to drive up his price, similar to the Nicolas Pepe rumours back when he was at Lille. "There's zero interest in Botman. He's not even under consideration for the summer window." - senior source.
With availability and the financial aspects such a problem this January, and Klopp's aversion to short term fixes, it does seem that a lot of you are going to be disappointed, as it appears we won't be signing anyone at CB.
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