Jurgen Klopp looking to summer market as City clash looms

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp used the international break to advance planning for the summer transfer window and insists discussions on player strategy were "positive".

The Reds boss, like the rest of his squad not away with national teams, took a few days off but returned to the club's AXA training complex to fill his spare time advancing plans for his summer rebuild.

While that did not include the recruitment of a new sporting director, with Julian Ward set to leave at the end of the season, there were extensive talks on whom to target to bolster the squad with the focus on reinforcing midfield, with Borussia Dortmund’s England international Jude Bellingham a long-term priority.

"That is the only thing we do in the international break, apart from have a few days off," said Klopp.

"The player side (was) positive, I would say. But (it was) talks not decisions – but we are busy."

While none of that can help now ahead of the Saturday lunchtime kick-off against Manchester City, Klopp does at least head to the Etihad Stadium with a squad virtually at full strength.

Striker Darwin Nunez has recovered from a cut ankle which forced him out of international duty with Uruguay while long-term injured players Luis Diaz and Thiago Alcantara are set to rejoin full training next week.

Colombia winger Diaz has been out with a knee injury since early October but stepped up his recovery during the international break.

"Luis is back in small parts of training after a very long time out," added Klopp.

"It was fantastic to have him back, such an energiser and boost, but he will not train today with us.

"This week was the first step back into training, next week he will increase that and then he is ready I think. We have to judge him every day how