As the winter window enters the final couple of days, it’s starting to look like Liverpool won’t be dipping in to the market at all. This, of course, comes as little surprise with Reds boss Jurgen Klopp getting out in front of the subject long before the turn of the year, but with their title hopes flagging and their chance at a spot in the League Cup final disappearing in a disappointing night at Anfield earlier in the week, there’s no question that their once mighty attack needs a kick in the pants.
“I never thought about other clubs. Never. Some things were said, but I do not know about that,” reported Liverpool target Quincy Promes told Russian media outlet Sport Express. “I just know that I play for Spartak, and people who really know me understand this,” continued the 25-year old, going to on explain a cryptic social media post from Reds midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum that seemed to imply he was Anfield bound. “Yes, he says he wants me [at Liverpool], because he likes me as a player. That’s what he said,” added the winger. “I talked with him, of course. But it wasn’t about Liverpool. We’re just friends.”
While you can make a good case for the Reds fluidity up top disappearing with Sadio Mane when he hooked up with Senegal for the Africa Cup of Nations, their problems have been brewing for some time. Having known well in advance that the pacey winger would be missing a portion of the season on international duty, one would have expected the Anfield outfit to draft in some suitable cover, but with long term target Christian Pulisic signing a new deal with Borussia Dortmund, Paris Saint-Germain attacker Jese stalling a move away from France and now Promes saying he’s staying in Russia, it’s looking even more unlikely that they’ll add any firepower in Janaury.
“I repeat: everyone who knows me understands what I think, and fans of Spartak know and remember what I said. So I do not understand why this issue is discussed at all,” said Promes, stopping short of pledging his undying love for the Russian outfit. “I don’t throw away promises of loyalty, and I don’t like when people doubt what I say. I like the Spanish, German, English [leagues], of course. But to go there, you need to be prepared,” explained the Dutchman. “I believe that I have everything going in the right direction, and I’m still young. “But I repeat: I want to achieve something with Spartak. It is important for me and my career.”
