Klopp eyes bolstering attack in January transfer window

49-year-old wants to add more experience to his team's offence

MIDDLESBROUGH: Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has dropped his biggest hint yet he is ready to strengthen his squad in January but on his freescoring attack and not his error-prone defence.

Liverpool travel to Middlesbrough aiming for a first victory in three games to reignite their Premier League title hopes in the wake of a 4-3 defeat at Bournemouth and a 2-2 draw at home to West Ham, which has seen them lose ground to their rivals.

Klopp has recently played down suggestions he will listen to offers for Liverpool's out of favour England international Daniel Sturridge.

The former Dortmund coach seems more intent on keeping Sturridge and bolstering his attacking options when the winter transfer window opens next month, though he warned at the difficulties of bringing in players mid-season.

"The winter transfer market is the most difficult. We are always looking," said Klopp, who will be without the influential Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho for at least another month due to an ankle injury.

"If you look at our bench, we're very experienced in defence, and not offence. If the situation stays like this it is clear we have open eyes."

Liverpool enter the latest round of the Premier League game six points off leaders Chelsea, having dropped five points in their last two matches, conceding six goals in the process.