"Annoys me..." - Liverpool legend makes Klopp stance clear after disappointing January window

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler threw his support behind Jurgen Klopp though admitted frustration at the club’s lack of transfer activity.

The Reds have endured a torrid season. They are currently languishing in ninth in the Premier League, seven points from the Champions League places and some 21 points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.

Meanwhile, Klopp’s side are out of both domestic cups and face an uphill task in the last-16 of the Champions League, taking on current holders Real Madrid in a repeat of last season’s final.

Despite their current struggles Cody Gakpo was the only arrival at Liverpool this winter, joining from PSV Eindhoven in a £45million deal at the start of January.

After Klopp ruled out late business in the January transfer window, a number of pundits, reporters and fans expressed frustration at the club’s inertia.

Fowler critical of Liverpool’s lack of activity

Fowler, who is one of Liverpool’s greatest strikers, admitted he was frustrated by the club’s lack of business at key points over the last few years.

Speaking to Liverpool Echo, he said: “I think Jurgen is well within his rights to think they can progress and grow and when you are building strong teams - or when you're top of the league - it's about strengthening in the areas you think [you need it]. Or not even the areas, just strengthening all aspects of the side.

"That is one of the things that I think annoys me now more with football clubs is actually you're looking at players to come in and I don't even think you're looking at specific positions, I think you should be bringing players in just to keep everyone on their toes.

"If you're resting on your laurels, if you like, then someone can come in and take your place in the team and do that job to make it hard for you to get back into the team. And I think all clubs who have aspirations should be doing that and it is about signing elite players.

"Certainly when you're on top of your game, I don't mean this in a disrespectful manner, but if you're not signing players, I think you are going backwards.

“Other teams around you are signing players, so you're not even staying still, you're dropping down a peg or two because they are trying to up maybe two steps. So I think it's imperative and massively important that Liverpool bring players in."

Fowler added that he remained supportive of Klopp and backed the manager to rebuild the team in the summer.

"Jurgen Klopp is an exceptional manager but you will have tough times,” the 47-year-old continued.

“There's always something that will happen at Liverpool. I am not an insider giving out information but I would be amazed if there isn't something happening behind the scenes [for the summer].”