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Ask just about any Liverpool fan, and they'll tell you the club should have signed someone in the transfer window.

Ask just about anyone at Anfield though, and they'll level the simple response. Who?

It is a pertinent point, and one which illustrates the complex nature of the winter window far more successfully than the almost self-parody that is the TV coverage of what is largely – and let's face it here – a relative non-event.

It is a non event for a simple reason. January transfers are for clubs at the bottom of the league, and not the top. And for all the trauma and disappointment of the past week, Liverpool are still a club at the top, let us not forget that.

They may not have anything more than a theoretical – or punter's chance – of winning the title, but you would not bet against them finishing second in the Premier League. Their performance against Chelsea showed they have the quality, and significantly, all their rivals bar Chelsea are still involved in Europe.

(Image: REUTERS)

It is the quality on show last night which raises the question of who they can sign in January. Their first team, their best 13 or 14 players, is as good as any in the league, and any signing has to improve that team, not merely make up the numbers.

Yes, they were without Sadio Mane for the whole of January, and yes that had a significant impact, but it is hard to think of a signing – bar perhaps Ronaldo or Messi – who could have gone straight into the side on January 3 and made up for his loss.

Liverpool DID want signings. Jurgen Klopp was seriously keen on Julian Draxler and went deep into negotiations with the Germany international. But he pulled the plug when the midfielder tried to use PSG's interest to push up his salary.

(Image: PSG PRESSROOM)

The manager explained privately he has been backed by his board who were prepared to pay whatever it took to get his signings...but he didn't want anyone who wasn't totally committed to the Liverpool cause, or simply to sign someone just to appease the fans.

So yes, life may have been simpler for Klopp had he sanctioned a move for a player such as Holland international Quincy Promes, who he likes, but what was the point of signing a player now for more money, when it will take him six months to settle into the Premier League. Better surely, to get a pre-season under his belt?

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If we are judging the success of Liverpool's window, then it should be measured in the fact that a signing, any signing, is no longer good enough to improve this promising team. Only true quality will.

And we should also suggest that any window which finally sees Mamadou Sakho leave the club, even on loan, is surely a success, because it shows Klopp's vision and team ethic is still alive and kicking.