Liverpool transfer news: Jurgen Klopp says managers under pressure to spend

Jurgen Klopp believes that managers in the Premier League are under pressure to splash the cash in January, despite the lack of quality available in the market. Most clubs are unwilling to sell their best players midway through the season, making it very difficult to prise them away.

Liverpool have come through a hectic Christmas period with six points from two games. With 30 points they are level with Manchester United. However, pressure is on the German to lead them into the top four, which, given the competition this season, could be a formidable job for the former Borussia Dortmund manager.

The Reds have a massive injury crisis to deal with too. Currently they are without 10 players, something Klopp is hopeful will alleviate as the season approaches the business end. Christian Benteke has come to life in that period, scoring winners against Leicester City and Sunderland, and getting back into the good books of his manager. Daniel Sturridge is set to return to the first team after recovering from a hamstring problem, but Klopp is unwilling to rush him back, keeping his recent injury problems in perspective.

"I can understand why everybody makes January transfers. It seems to be the only possibility everyone is satisfied with," he told BBC's Football Focus, as quoted by the Mirror. "It is impossible to say 'No, we won't do it'. I can understand that other people feel pressure. It is better to do something than to stay together so you can buy somebody and say 'I tried'. You take a player for a horrible or crazy price to say 'we did it', and not be sure he can help you, because you cannot be sure."

Klopp is satisfied with the players he has at his disposal, but may need to delve into the market to bring cover for several injuries threatening to debilitate his squad. A recent injury to Jordan Henderson is being assessed after the midfielder hobbled off against Sunderland in the second half.