Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp remains coy on summer transfer plans ahead of Chelsea clash

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is keeping his cards close to his chest with regard to plans for the forthcoming transfer window, admitting that he is pondering new additions in a bid to bolster his squad for a first full campaign in charge at Anfield. The Europa League finalists have already secured the services of one new recruit ahead of the summer, with Cameroon international defender Joel Matip set to join on a free following the expiration of his current deal with Schalke in July.

Marko Grujic, who completed a £5.1m ($7.3m) switch to Liverpool in January, will also arrive on Merseyside after completing his loan stint with former club Red Star Belgrade. A multitude of other players including the likes of Mario Gotze, Gero Rulli, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Antonio Rudiger and Piotr Zielinski have also been linked with a move to Merseyside as the rumour mill begins to go into overdrive, although Klopp insists that most reports are wide of the mark.

"The Chelsea game has no influence on my thoughts for next season. It is a big game," he was quoted as saying by BBC Sport at a press conference held prior to the visit of Guus Hiddink's side on Wednesday (11 May). "We think about transfers, of course, and everything but 99% of all things in newspapers are 1% true - not all newspapers, sorry.

"A lot of rumours are very far away from the actual thing. Sometimes I do not even know the name of the player that is supposed to be coming to Liverpool. We will do our work and say something when there is something to say. We have to improve and if we can then we can have a really good season next season."

Liverpool host deposed champions Chelsea looking for their ninth home win of the current Premier League campaign. The club could be forgiven for casting their eye further forward ahead of the 2016 Europa League final against Sevilla in Basel next week, but Klopp is eager to continue building on an increasingly formidable record on their own patch.

"[It's] very important," he said. "The difference is big. When I came here we had a few problems at home. We didn't score often enough, the opponent didn't need too many chances to score, and that was not too cool. We also had the set piece [issue].We created some stability, that's the truth. We worked longer together, that helps, it always helps in life and football.

"Of course, if you can create atmospheres at Anfield like we did sometimes, then it should be a real force, a real strength, this stadium. Next year I'm really looking forward to the new stand and we have more people in the stadium - that will be great. To be successful it's important that you win games and to use the advantage of a home game is the first step in the right direction."