Liverpool’s failure to defeat 10-man Chelsea gives Jurgen Klopp a transfer decision as deadline day looms

A point against a Premier League title rival. Nothing deplorable. Nothing lamentable. Not in usual circumstances anyway.

Yet the disappointment at Anfield following Liverpool’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea was palpable.

A missed opportunity

As Kopites trudged out of the turnstiles, they knew a glaring opportunity was missed. The sort of opportunity that will be rued should the Reds miss out on the silverware by the narrowest of margins come the end of the season.

Jurgen Klopp’s side had a numerical advantage for 45 minutes following the sending off of Reece James in first-half stoppage-time.

However, Liverpool failed to cash in on such a golden chance. Despite a blistering start in the second period, the home side couldn’t create any gilt-edged openings in front of goal and their pressure on the Blues defence gradually eased.

At the final whistle, a share of the spoils was what Chelsea deserved.

And with the transfer window closing on Tuesday, Klopp’s stance could well have taken a different tack.

The Reds’ mantra throughout the summer has been that they don’t need to splash the cash.

In fairness, £36 million Ibrahima Konate wasn’t cheap but he’s the sole signing made and with an eye towards the future.

The financial ramifications of the Covid-19 pandemic is a substantial reason why business has been subdued.

But continuity and handing prized assets such as Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fabinho new contracts has been the preferred approach rather than bringing in fresh faces.

Lack of forward options

In contrast, all three of Liverpool’s main title rivals have strengthened their attacking options.

Chelsea bought Romelu Lukaku for £97.5 million, Manchester City spent £100 million on Jack Grealish and Manchester United added Cristiano Ronaldo to go with the £70 million purchase of Jadon Sancho.

Liverpool’s attacking line is as strong as any of the aforementioned trio. Certainly, Mo Salah and Sadio Mane would waltz into any team in Europe, while Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota are high-class striking options, especially when it comes to a high-pressing team of Klopp’s.

But there’s little strength in depth when a change of approach is required. If things aren’t going to plan when the opposition are happy to settle for a draw, the Reds can hit the buffers.

There’s teenager Harvey Elliott who could play wide of a front three, having impressed in a deeper role once again against Chelsea.

But apart from that, there’s little to choose from.

Xherdan Shaqiri was deemed a decent option off the bench but has been sold to Lyon.

Meanwhile, Takumi Minamino’s yet to feature this season and failed to hit the heights many predicted after running amok for Red Bull Salzburg against Klopp’s troops in the Champions League.

Shipped off on loan to Southampton last season, you do wonder how much the German fancies him.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, whose dynamism was lauded by Klopp only a day earlier while conducting his pre-match press duties, wasn’t required.

As for Divock Origi, he’s a player who’ll always get a hero’s welcome at Anfield, but he couldn’t earn a berth in the match-day squad for successive games.

It wouldn’t be a surprise if he left before the window shuts.

To try to salvage a point, Klopp instead introduced Thiago Alcantara - who’d scored just once in his previous 30 outings - with 15 minutes remaining.

Then, with one last throw of the dice, Kostas Tsimikas was brought on for the disappointing Andy Robertson. When there’s a like-for-like replacement at left-back , you know options are short.

A decision to weigh up

There’s a real concern that, should Mane or Salah pick up a serious injury, there’s no-one to take up the mantle. In fact, if either are having an off day then there’s no suitable cover to add verve off the bench.

What’s more, Firmino could face a spell on the sidelines after limping off with a hamstring injury before half-time.

Replaced by Jota, the Portuguese didn’t offer the same gusto he’d showed when netting against Norwich City and Burnley. For all his qualities, he’s still not the complete player.

Compare Klopp’s substitute options to Chelsea counterpart Thomas Tuchel. He had Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech and Callum Hudson-Odoi to pick from while Christian Pulisic wasn’t in the squad as he recovers from coronavirus.

It’s long been a criticism of Liverpool’s - even amid the Champions League and Premier League triumphs in recent years.

The starting XI is as strong as you’d like but what’s below is where they may fall short. With no Shaqiri and Gini Wijnaldum, there’s an argument the squad is weaker than last season.

Klopp won’t panic buy or spend for the sake of it as the transfer window reaches a crescendo.

But the Anfield chief could well mull over whether it’s worth recruiting an additional forward.