Jurgen Klopp says there is no replacement for Philippe Coutinho on the transfer market

By Joe Shread

Jurgen Klopp says Philippe Coutinho will not be replaced in January

Jurgen Klopp has insisted Philippe Coutinho will not be replaced in January as he does not believe the "solution" is available on the transfer market.

Coutinho left Liverpool for Barcelona earlier this month in a £146m deal and Klopp's side have lost two of the three matches they have played since his departure.

With the transfer window open until Wednesday, there have been calls for Klopp to reinvest some of the money raised from Coutinho's sale in a replacement for the Brazilian.

Image: Coutinho made his first start for Barcelona on Sunday

However, Klopp ruled that out, saying: "Philippe Coutinho is not going to be replaced in this transfer window. It's about using our own tools, players and tactics.

"We could have won these games (against Swansea and West Brom). It was not about creating chances, it was about different stuff.

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"Against Swansea, it was the formation, against West Brom it was defending. I don't think Phil would have helped a lot in these situations.

"The solution is not out there on the transfer market at the moment. We always have open eyes but we really think we have to use our players.

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"In the long-term, we will do a lot, in the short-term, I don't think so."

Klopp also addressed Liverpool's defensive concerns following their recent defeats to Swansea in the Premier League and West Brom in the FA Cup.

Image: Van Dijk started Liverpool's past two matches, defeats against Swansea and West Brom

Despite spending £75m on Virgil van Dijk - a world-record for a defender - to sign him from Southampton, Liverpool have conceded eight goals in the four matches since he arrived.

However, Klopp said the whole team was responsible, saying: "We could have done better but it is normal when you introduce a new player (Virgil van Dijk) in this situation.

"We watched the West Brom goals back and I showed the boys where we should have defended. Everybody is responsible for these things."

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