Klopp can't get no satisfaction

London - Jurgen Klopp may be a fan of heavy metal, but it is perhaps the Rolling Stones song I Can’t Get No Satisfaction that should have been the soundtrack to a frustrating transfer window for Liverpool.

Stuttering Liverpool have so far failed to sign any recruits in this window, after a first half of the season that had kindled real hope of a first title since 1990.

For an exasperated Klopp, the reasons are clear.

‘It is not that we don’t want to bring players in,’ the Liverpool manager said after this shock defeat by Swansea. ‘We do, but the thing is, the players we want because we think they help us, their clubs don’t sell. It is not about money.’

Klopp will no doubt have a centre half at the top of his shopping list after defensive mistakes led to two of Swansea’s three goals. The Liverpool manager said that although money is available, he will not spend it on the wrong man.

‘If the right decision is not possible in signing the right player, then you must not make the wrong transfer,’ Klopp said.

‘It is not as if there are 20 players out there who could make this team stronger, who are running around and available.’

The situation at Anfield on Saturday could have been different. The visitors, who started the day bottom of the table, showed unfamiliar resolve in the first half under new boss Paul Clement, and were 2-0 up when Fernando Llorente hit a brace within seven minutes of the restart.

Roberto Firmino woke a slumbering Kop with an almost immediate response and when the same man drew the scores level with a stunning half-volley there appeared to be only one likely winner.

It was not to be. Swansea broke, Ragnar Klavan intervened but his sliding tackle presented Gylfi Sigurdsson with a chance to win it and the cool Icelander did just that.

Clement, who has worked at Real Madrid and Bayern Munich, was left to reflect on the unpredictable nature of the Premier League compared to its continental counterparts.

‘You don’t tend to get so many shock or surprise results,’ he said. ‘That is what makes this league so exciting and special.

‘Anyone can go anywhere and win, lose or draw. I know what you mean when you say that might not be the case in other leagues. But I am a coach who believes you have a better chance of getting a result if you have good players and you have to work at it on the training field.’

Clement had satisfaction. At the moment, Klopp can’t get any.

SUPER STAT:

Liverpool were first PL team to score 50 goals this season; Swansea were the first to concede 50 (both are now on 51).

LIVERPOOL (4-3-3):

Mignolet 6; Clyne 6, Lovren 5, Klavan 5, Milner 6.5; Henderson 6, Can 6 (Origi 70min, 6), Wijnaldum 6.5 (Matip 90); Lallana 6, Firmino 7, Coutinho 6 (Sturridge 57, 6). Subs not used: Karius, Moreno, Lucas, Woodburn. Booked: Klavan.

Scorer:

Firmino 55, 69.

SWANSEA (4-4-1-1):

Fabianski 6.5; Naughton 6.5, Fernandez 7, Mawson 7, Olsson 6.5 (Rangel 79); Routledge 6, Fer 6.5 (Fulton 90), Cork 7, Carroll 7; Sigurdsson 7; Llorente 8.5 (Baston 85). Subs not used: Amat, Dyer, Nordfeldt, McBurnie. Booked: Fer.