Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp looking to improve squad in summer transfer window

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says only players who can improve the current team will be pursued in the upcoming summer transfer window. The German boss is yet to benefit from making a single permanent signing since arriving at the Reds in October, and despite having three games left this campaign he has already begun outlining plans for the off-season.

Marko Grujic arrived from Red Star Belgrade in January before being loaned back to the Serbian giants for the remainder of the season while Steven Caulker was acquired on a six-month loan deal from Queens Park Rangers. Despite inheriting an imbalanced squad from sacked coach Brendan Rodgers, Klopp has taken the club to the Capital One Cup and Europa League finals in his short spell in charge.

The club's rapid improvement has raised optimism ahead of next season, with Liverpool expected to challenge for a top-four place. Klopp guided Borrusia Dortmund to successive Bundesliga titles and the Champions League final on a shoestring budget in Germany, but could be handed millions to spend by owners Fenway Sports Group.

However Klopp has downplayed suggestions he could make swathes of changes and insists he will be picky when choosing players to improve the current Liverpool squad. "You need to be a little bit more independent from the injury situation," he told Sky Sports ahead of the Premier League visit of Chelsea. "When we have a good pre-season and when we can give the boys a good base it should be different, really different.

"You can never be sure, so of course we need players. We'll try to find players that will give us the opportunity to become better. If they are better then good, but if they are the same level that would be really good too. Then we can push each other onto another level."

Klopp is also keen to sign players not only of the quality required to break into the Liverpool first team, but also with the mentality to appreciate the pressure of performing for a club with such an illustrious history. He added: "First of all, it's not the time to speak about this in public. We work on it, of course, but there's nothing to say at this moment.

"In the end I hope I have a team together who likes working together and who likes working for Liverpool and who feels the responsibility about the club and the power of this club. If we can do this then we can be really strong and we can win something – but I don't know what."