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Jurgen Klopp believes a new signing won't instantly cure Liverpool's defensive frailties – but admits his squad needs strengthening before the transfer window closes.

The Reds' defending came in for strong criticism after a series of blunders helped Watford snatch a 3-3 draw in Saturday's Premier League opener at Vicarage Road.

Liverpool have yet to move for a new centre-back this summer having placed earlier interest in Southampton's Virgil van Dijk on hold.

And while Klopp insists the key to defensive improvement is on the training ground, he accepts recent absences have underlined more new signings are necessary.

“It's not about a player,” he said. “It's not as though one player can sort all the set-piece problems for Liverpool.

“Of course, it's about positioning. Do the right thing, at the right moment, in the right position.

“It's not like it happened to us last year and now we say 'this will not happen any more'.

“There's no chance it isn't going to happen again. All over the world in football, you'll concede from set-pieces.”

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Asked if he was in the market for a new centre-back, Klopp responded: “We are still working on all parts. We cannot build them. We have to have talks, we're looking at all parts of the team.

“The squad at the moment is not too wide for a lot of games because decisive players are not available. But that's our situation.”

Liverpool's lack of options were exposed at the weekend with Adam Lallana, Nathaniel Clyne, Daniel Sturridge and the wantaway Philippe Coutinho all injured.

The Reds have spent almost £50million this summer, but while club record signing Mohamed Salah made a goalscoring debut at the weekend, Dominic Solanke was an unused substitute and Andy Robertson didn't make the bench.

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Klopp, who revealed last week he was in the market for a new midfielder, further spoke on Liverpool's defensive issues and how they can be resolved.

“Yes, we did wrong, and what do I want to do to sort it?” he said.

“People will say I need to buy a new player in the position. I don't know if that makes real sense.

“We did well in the pre-season in this situation. We conceded goals, but we also did good things. We can't only focus on one thing, but we know it's an important thing, of course.

“I don't feel comfortable because I can't change it at the moment. But I know what to do.”

Sturridge is expected to be available for Tuesday's Champions League play-off first leg against Hoffenheim, with the squad flying out on Monday to Germany.

However, it's unlikely Coutinho will be involved.

The Brazilian, who was at Melwood over the weekend for treatment on a back problem, handed in a transfer request on Friday after two failed bids from Barcelona.

The Catalans are musing over a third offer, despite Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group releasing a statement Coutinho will not be sold this summer.