Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp is hoping to make new signings ahead of pre-season training as his team prepare for Champions League football next season.
Liverpool on Sunday secured a spot in the qualifying round for Europe’s most prestigious club competition which they have only played in once in the last seven seasons.
“I wish we can bring in the players tomorrow but of course that isn’t really likely.
The best scenario is always to have them in before pre-season,” Klopp told reporters after his team’s 3-0 friendly victory over Sydney FC yesterday.
Klopp did rule out signing another holding midfielder despite his team’s vulnerability to opposition counter-attacks.
“Second balls after set-pieces, another defensive midfielder would not really be around this situation so it does not help a lot,” the German said.
“Half-spaces when counter-pressing does not work, it’s all about organisation. We did already much better in the last few games and we improved around set-pieces a lot.”
First-half goals by Daniel Sturridge, Alberto Moreno and Roberto Firmino secured victory over Sydney FC just three days after Liverpool’s last Premier League game of the season.
“I had no idea how we would come into this game because I never did (this) – flying 24 hours, going to the hotel, then we had nothing really to do,” Klopp said.
“Some of us got tired, some of us tried to sleep then you come here another one hour 45 minutes from the hotel. I didn’t say a lot before the game to be honest.”
Sturridge stars in win 
Liverpool shrugged off jet-lag to master Australian A-League champions Sydney FC 3-0 yesterday just three days after finishing their English Premier League season.
England striker Daniel Sturridge, fighting back from a hip injury, was outstanding — scoring the opening goal and setting up another for Brazilian Roberto Firmino.
The Reds, fresh from sealing their return to the Champions League and playing in front of a red-bedecked near-capacity crowd of 73,000 at Sydney’s Olympic stadium, scored all their goals in an irresistible first half.
Of the players that started their final Premier League game against Middlesbrough on Sunday only three were in the starting eleven against Sydney FC – Dejan Lovren, Firmino and Sturridge.
Club legends Steven Gerrard, Jamie Carragher, Steve McManaman and Daniel Agger also pulled on the Red shirt once more, appearing for 45 minutes each.
Sturridge turned defender Alex Wilkinson to beat goalkeeper Danny Vukovic in just the eighth minute.
Ten minutes later Firmino dinked the ball into the path of Spaniard Alberto Moreno, who slammed home for 2-0.
Fantastic footwork from Sturridge freed space for a cross that ricocheted off Firmino’s thigh and into the net for Liverpool’s third goal in the 39th minute.
“I enjoyed it a lot. Surprisingly good football and all the goals were brilliant,” Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said.
“We love football and it is not easy after 30 hours of flying, but we still do it.
“It has been a really long season and it is now over. We can start a holiday after my final press conference.”
The Liverpool touring party only arrived in Sydney on the morning of the match and was rapturously received by the pro-Reds Australian crowd.
Liverpool legend Gerrard, 36, played in the first half along with 39-year-old ex-team-mate Carragher, while McManaman, now 45, made an appearance as a substitute in the second half.
“It was interesting and very enjoyable considering we only got off the plane today,” McManaman said.
“I thought I was fit but I can’t keep up with the youngsters any more”.