Jürgen Klopp said he has the final say on all Liverpool transfers after the club’s policy on signings came under renewed scrutiny following only two wins in the past eight Premier League games.
On Sunday, Liverpool failed to score at home against Manchester United and lost 1-0 with £32.5m signing Christian Benteke on the bench until the 81st minute and the on-loan defender Steven Caulker coming on as Klopp’s last substitute.
Klopp, when asked whether he has the final say on transfers, replied: “Yes. It’s how I am used to work. If I don’t want a player to come to the club he will not come. It’s normal.”
Liverpool are at home to Exeter City in the FA Cup on Wednesday – a replay after the first leg finished in a 2-2 draw – with the manager still unable to call on Daniel Sturridge because the striker has not been involved in team training yet. Klopp will again pick an inexperienced side against the League Two team.
“Daniel has not been involved in team training since the Newcastle game. He’s had some issues. We will play a similar team to the last time [we played Exeter]. We have to think about who it makes sense [to play], for whom it’s not too difficult, and build a squad for this,” Klopp said.
The defender Jon Flanagan, who has not played a first-team game since May 2014, is set to be included in the squad. “Jon is in a really good way and we are happy. He’s training today – if nothing happens he’s on the bench,” Klopp said.
