Jurgen Klopp has just dropped his biggest Liverpool transfer hint yet

Incognito transfers are a rarity these days.

It's scarce that a club signs a player without their interest already being widely known about.

By the time the deal is officially announced, it's old news. Reports of fees and contract lengths are public knowledge.

The nature of modern football is why the media and fans were taken aback when Liverpool announced the signing of Fabinho.

Just two days after the Reds lost the Champions League final to Real Madrid in 2018, the Brazilian midfielder was unveiled.

No-one was expecting it. His name had barely been mentioned. Somehow, negotiations had been kept under the radar and you couldn’t help but admire the work that had been undertake behind the scenes.

But since then, it's not been the case.

Luis Diaz was linked for several months before joining Liverpool from Porto in January.

Ibrahima Konate publicly denied that the Reds had not shown interest in him - yet signed from RB Leipzig last summer.

And let's not forget about Jurgen Klopp having to refuse to comment on Thiago Alcantara's impending Anfield arrival in September 2020.

The fact he didn’t scotch interest in the then-Bayern Munich midfielder when asked spoke volumes.

Modern recruitment

Clubs live and die by their recruitment and are constantly planning for the future. Sides make enquiries for players long before they might even actually lodge a concrete offer.

Inevitably, names start to get out into the public.

Liverpool's transfer strategy is among the best in the world. It's as sage and astute as they come.

Michael Edwards is hailed as a god among Kopites. His successor, Julian Ward, is already held in high esteem.

A significant reason why Liverpool have been so successful is because they work well in advance.

Already, targets for future transfer windows will be have been earmarked and sounded out.

Bowen admiration

It's no secret that Klopp is an admirer of Jarrod Bowen.

The Liverpool manager has spoken about how highly he regards the West Ham forward - on multiple occasions.

Indeed, Bowen has enjoyed a meteoric rise from non-league Hereford to the cusp of an England call-up.

Since signing for the Hammers from Hull in January 2019, he's improved manifold and is now one of the premier attackers in the top flight.

This season, Bowen has scored 12 goals and registered 11 assists as David Moyes' side chase a top-four finish and Europa League glory.

The 25-year-old has persistently been linked to Liverpool. Even after signing Diaz, the Bowen tittle-tattle won't go away.

And the way Klopp reacted when the West Ham attacker limped off during Liverpool's 1-0 defeat of West Ham underlined how much Bowen is rated by the Anfield chief.

The Klopp treatment

Shortly after being on the wrong end of a robust but fair challenge from Andy Roberson, Bowen was forced off.

As he walked past Klopp, he got a ruffle to the head out of sympathy.

That's something we're used to seeing from the German - but to his own players.

Usually, Klopp reserves those sort of actions for his troops. It's a mark of how much he cares about them and hopes the issue is not serious.

The gregarious Liverpool chief’s man-management skills are why he’s well respected by those who’re under him.

For Bowen to be given the same treatment underlines that Klopp truly wishes the injury isn't a long-term one.

Perhaps, Klopp is praying Bowen's problem won't keep him out for a sustained period. Say, beyond the summer transfer window and into next season.

If any of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino were to leave at the end of the campaign, with their respective contracts expiring in 2023, a replacement would be required.

Not any old replacement, but one top quality.

Bowen would a leading candidate. His statistics this season rank among among the elite front men in the Premier League.

Some will feel it's inevitable that Bowen will become a Liverpool player somewhere in the future.

Klopp dropped a major hint with his action - quite possibly his biggest transfer hint yet.