Jurgen Klopp has stated he will not be sanctioning a deal to allow to Divock Origi to leave Liverpool this transfer window.
The Belgium international is yet to start a game for Liverpool this season and failed to make the substitutes’ bench for Wednesday night’s 4-2 win over Hoffenheim, with Dominic Solanke and Daniel Sturridge preferred by Klopp.
The Reds boss has a number of options available to him across his frontline, with Roberto Firmino currently favoured as the first-choice striker in the 4-3-3 formation.
Danny Ings took another step towards his first-team comeback on Friday night for the Under-23s and Klopp has a somewhat bloated frontline at present.
However, the Liverpool boss wants to see all his attackers press their claims for a place this season and says every striker will get their chance to impress, including Origi – despite reports linking him with a loan move.
He said: “I cannot guarantee that people are happy every day. We have until the 31st (of August) to make a decision but until now in this position, nothing is happening.
“Dom Solanke, I have no doubt about him, he has done really well so far. Divock Origi has given me absolutely no reason not to involve him in the squad but the rules are the rules, but I spoke to him already.
“Daniel Sturridge played the best pre-season since I came in, he got a little injury, came back pretty quickly and had an OK game against Crystal Palace.
“Against Hoffenheim we had to find another lineup and that worked well. So the players will all have their opportunities, they will all have their chances.
“And in the next week, I have no ideas, but if nothing comes in, nothing will go out.
“I can promise I will help all of them to make the next step in their development. It’s all about the boys, it’s not about me saying ‘you will play the next 10 games’.
“Players will get injured, that’s how it is. We don’t think about giving one away, and it’s not unlikely with the number of games that we won’t have injuries in the future, so we need to prepare for this.”
Klopp welcomes Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger to Anfield for Sunday afternoon’s game, and the Gunners boss has headache of his own up front, with Alexis Sanchez yet to sign a new deal at the Emirates.
“I don’t know if Alexis wants to leave this year or next year, or if they want to sell him,” added Klopp.
“I really think it makes sense if I shut my mouth. I am not a normal football supporter and I am not interested actually. I think he will play on Sunday and that’s what I think, not about where he will play next season.”
