‘Straight into the starting XI’, ‘Would be a quality signing’ - Liverpool fans urge Klopp to work out a deal for £45m-rated midfielder

The Liverpool fans in the Transfer Tavern are eager for Jurgen Klopp to bring in a replacement for Philippe Coutinho this month. The Brazilian swapped Merseyside for Spain earlier this month, with Barcelona finally getting their man after a prolonged period of negotiations.

Coutinho was a vital part of proceedings at Anfield, and so he’s a massive loss for Jurgen Klopp. Particularly given Liverpool’s goals this season – notably ensuring they remain a top four team – it’s clear that a replacement is needed. They can’t afford to lose such a top tier player and not bring in a new face, and so a big acquisition makes sense.

Reports from Don Balon, then, suggesting that James Rodriguez is a target have gone down well in the Transfer Tavern. Given his current loan status at Bayern Munich from Real Madrid, a move for the Columbian would apparently be very difficult, but that doesn’t appear to be halting Liverpool’s interest in him.

Unsurprisingly, this news has generated quite a lot of excitement amongst the Liverpool fans over on Twitter. Though many recognise that a move won’t be easy – particularly given that he is rated at a very pricey £45 million by Transfer Markt – it’s pretty clear that he’d be a popular man were he to come to Anfield.

Most fans, of course, remember him from his 2014 World Cup display for Columbia, in which he earned his move to Real Madrid after a stunning spell in the competition. The Liverpool faithful would clearly love him to repeat that feat at Anfield.

Take a look at a small selection of responses below…

James Rodriguez, Julian Draxler, Christian Pulisic, Lucas Moura, and Thomas Lemar are all players that I would welcome with open arms. #LFC We don't need Coutinho…

— Hein (@BonesTheHaunted) January 18, 2018

Honestly wouldn't mind James Rodriguez. I mean he's surely cheaper than Lemar & he can play centrally. Rather sign him now rather than finish the transfer window with only VVD as our only signing. #LFC

— #LFC (@lfc_fanpage_hq) January 17, 2018