Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool was dealt a massive blow when Arsenal star Aaron Ramsey hinted that he will not be leaving the club in the upcoming winter transfer window in January. Ramsey was tipped to leave the Emirates Stadium after a possible breakdown of negotiations in regard to his contract extension but the Welshman put those rumors to bed earlier this week.
Liverpool has enjoyed a flying start to their season but has still not hit top gear yet. The Reds sit in third place in the Premier League table but joint top on points with Manchester City and Chelsea who are also unbeaten in England’s top flight. However, recently Liverpool have struggled to get those free-flowing goals that we saw during the end of last season.
Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino, and Sadio Mane are yet to move out of first gear and start firing for the Reds. One possible theory of the fiery front three underperforming is because there seems to be a missing link between the midfield and attack. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain’s injury, which could potentially keep him out for the rest of the season, means that Liverpool is lacking that creative midfielder who can run at opposition defenses and provide that sparkling through pass for the pacey forwards.
Much was expected from Naby Keita when the Guinea international arrived from Red Bull Leipzig in the summer transfer window but the 23-year-old has not hit the ground running just yet. Jordan Henderson and Gini Wijnaldum are the midfield engines who run tirelessly but are not able to provide that killer pass in the attacking third. There was a reason why Klopp was keen on signing playmaker Nabil Fekir in the summer but the Frenchman remained in Lyon after a failed medical and if Liverpool is to push for a title challenge they need a high-quality playmaker in the January transfer window to bolster their squad.
With Aaron Ramsey’s future being thrown into jeopardy surrounding the contract disputes going on with the Arsenal, Liverpool was keen on signing the Welsh midfielder. With Ramsey’s contract expiring in the summer, Liverpool was looking to purchase him in the January transfer window for a lesser price. Ramsey has the experience and ability to play in the Premier League and can be used on the flanks as well. But the 27-year-old has committed his future to Unai Emery until the end of the season giving Klopp another massive headache.
Speaking to the Mirror, Ramsey explained that there were contract talks going on but he will remain at the Emirates until the end of the season. When asked he said “Will I stay for the rest of the season? Of course, yeah. I am contracted to Arsenal and I am going to do my best now this season to try and achieve something special.”
He added that it is the club has to decide on what they want to do with him after not offering him a new deal, “That’s a decision that they have made and things happen in football and you just have to get on with it and carry on playing the best I can. That’s all I am concentrating on, giving my best for Arsenal.”
