---
title: "Virals: Liverpool’s AFCON stance revealed as transfer deadline looms"
canonical: "https://readliverpoolfc.com/news/virals-liverpools-afcon-stance-revealed-as-transfer-deadline-looms/"
type: "post"
language: "en-GB"
author: "Dan Clubbe"
section: "Liverpool News"
published: "2021-08-30T07:05:00Z"
modified: "2021-08-30T07:05:00Z"
---

# Virals: Liverpool’s AFCON stance revealed as transfer deadline looms

[Liverpool](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/08/29/lee-dixon-makes-bold-harvey-elliott-claim-following-chelsea-performance/) manager [Jurgen Klopp](https://readliverpoolfc.com/2021/08/27/virals-jurgen-klopp-predicts-quiet-end-to-summer-transfer-window/) was left bereft of attacking options on Saturday as the Reds strived for a winner in the second half against Chelsea.

Forced to [replace Roberto Firmino](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/442115-roberto-firmino-injury-update-klopp-chelsea) before half-time, the German boss had already played the trump card in the shape of Diogo Jota.

Whilst the likes of Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, Naby Keita and Takumi Minamino [watched on](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12393071/liverpool-1-1-chelsea-blues-hold-out-in-second-half-after-reece-james-red-card) wondering whether they might be chosen, Klopp opted to utilise Thiago and Andy Robertson from the sidelines.

With Divock Origi [left out of the matchday squad](https://www.liverpoolfc.com/news/first-team/442058-watch-free-highlights-chelsea-premier-league) altogether, the need for additional firepower is seemingly apparent.

According to a report from [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/2791725/2021/08/29/klopp-needs-to-question-whether-liverpool-really-have-sufficient-firepower-for-the-challenges-ahead/?source=emp_shared_article), as cited by [James Pearce](https://twitter.com/JamesPearceLFC/status/1432056585707311125) on Twitter, despite the issues and the forthcoming mid-season departure of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, Liverpool have made their stance clear.

> Twitter: Minamino and Oxlade-Chamberlain left on the bench. Origi not in the squad. It feels like #LFC are still an attacker… https://t.co/CU2SZroZcm (@JamesPearceLFC)

The report claims that the club believes buying cover for two [Premier League fixtures](https://www.premierleague.com/news/2171434) ‘wouldn’t make sense’.

So far this season, [31 times capped](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/takumi-minamino/nationalmannschaft/spieler/165793/verein_id/3435) Japan international Minamino has been on the bench for [90 minutes](https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/takumi-minamino/leistungsdaten/spieler/165793) of all three league clashes.

### READ LIVERPOOL VERDICT

Given how matters [transpired on Saturday](https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/58289649) at Anfield it’s hard to agree with the decision not to buy another attacking option before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

At full fitness, Klopp has [four elite stars](https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/robertson-front-four-liverpool-jota/c3j678pfmhgi1uy3c45obiq4r) in Salah, Firmino, Mane and Jota.

However, just one injury and suddenly the drop off is stark and on previous evidence, untrustworthy.

Unless there’s a [late move for Origi](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/liverpool-transfer-news-shaqiri-origi-24669283) it seems unlikely there will be another incoming.