Klopp confirms talks are underway for summer signings

Jurgen Klopp is working on plugging the gaps and adding depth to Liverpool's squad in the summer.

Despite Sadio Mane travelling to represent Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations, the German manager kept his hands in the pockets during the January transfer window, retaining faith in those he already had at his disposal.

This show of trust coincided with a severe slump in Liverpool's form, however. Until last Saturday's 2-0 defeat of Tottenham Hotspur, the Reds had seen one win in their last 10 competitive fixtures - and that was against fourth-tier Plymouth Argyle.

"We are in talks with different people - players, agents, all that stuff," Klopp told The Liverpool Echo's James Pearce at the club's training base in Spain.

"Not a lot of decisions have been already made at this point. Why should they at this stage? But we are on the way. At the end I'm sure we will have a really good squad."

Having been dumped out of the FA Cup by Wolverhampton Wanderers at the fourth-round stage and with no European commitments this term, the Liverpool squad is training in La Manga's warmer weather.

But Klopp appears to be in communication with those that control the club's spending back on Merseyside, with Pearce noting that Bayer Leverkusen winger Julian Brandt, 20, is strongly linked with a switch to the Reds.

(Photo courtesy: Reuters)

"We already have a good squad and a few more good players will make it even better. There's a good base," Klopp added.

With a seven-point cushion over seventh-place Everton, participation in at least the Europa League next season looks likely. A spot in the Champions League would be the biggest draw for new players, though, and Liverpool is just a point off the Premier League's top four.

"Of course if we are in the Champions League then it would have an influence. We would need a deeper squad and you have to be prepared for that. No question," the ex-Borussia Dortmund handler said.

"Even with the league this season, we could have needed a deeper squad with the injuries we had. But we're through that now. We will adapt our plans to the number of tournaments we play next year."

Liverpool is currently 11 points short of league-leading Chelsea with 13 matches remaining on the season, and next travels to fallen champion Leicester City on Feb. 27.