'Made a point' - Journalist spotted Klopp's 'affectionate' exchange with reported LFC target

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp consoled reported transfer target Jarrod Bowen after he sustained an injury at Anfield at the weekend, the Liverpool Echo’s Theo Squires noticed. 

The 25-year-old was forced off early in the second half as the Reds beat West Ham 1-0 on Saturday evening.

Klopp is an admirer of the Irons winger, having dubbed him an ‘unbelievable player’ in his pre-match press conference.

The Athletic reported in summer 2021 that Bowen featured on Liverpool’s shortlist of attacking targets, and club correspondent James Pearce confirmed in January that the Reds ‘have continued to monitor’ his progress.

Squires noted on Twitter that Klopp very deliberately went over to Bowen just before the West Ham winger hobbled down the tunnel at Anfield.

The journalist observed: “Jurgen Klopp made a point of heading over to Jarrod Bowen before he headed off injured down the tunnel, giving him an affectionate pat on the cheek as he left the pitch.”

Bowen had actually endured a somewhat difficult evening before he suffered the injury. On the one hand, he managed to create two chances for his team-mates; but on the other, he won only one of his six ground duels and wasn’t able to test Alisson with either of his shots (via SofaScore).

Nonetheless, he is enjoying an excellent season on the whole, leading Europa League outfit West Ham for both goals (12) and assists (nine, level with Michail Antonio).

Liverpool signed left winger Luis Diaz in January to compete with Sadio Mane, but Bowen predominantly plays on the right. Therefore, if the Reds were to sign the Englishman, he could provide a Premier League-proven alternative to Mohamed Salah, or even potentially replace the Egyptian if he leaves upon the expiry of his contract in