Liverpool transfer news: The possible reasons Jurgen Klopp failed to bring a new left-back to Anfield this summer

IT was one of the stories of this summer's transfer window...

OK maybe not the story - Paul Pogba's long, drawn-out saga ahead of his eventual move to Manchester United from Juventus takes that honour - but a big one nonetheless.

That is, why did Jurgen Klopp fail to sign a new left-back for Liverpool?

Not only were fans screaming for some defensive reinforcements with Alberto Moreno struggling mightily in the past 12 months, but the Reds themselves were in dire need.

Klopp started off this season with Moreno at left-back away to Arsenal.

While the Reds won a 4-3 thriller, the Spaniard was caught out of position for one of the goals, while also conceding a penalty after hauling down Theo Walcott.

For the next Premier League game - a 2-0 loss at the hands of newly-promoted Burnley - Klopp put James Milner into the left-back spot.

You know, why wouldn't you put a right-footed midfielder back there..?

It led fans and pundits alike to believe a boss of Klopp's calibre would bring in a proper left-back to come into the starting XI, or at least provide more than capable competition, especially after selling the promising Brad Smith to Bournemouth and loaning Jon Flanagan to Burnley.

But now, alas, nothing came of it this window, with the German clearly happy with the squad at his disposal.

With that in mind, SunSport decided to investigate why.

MORE TO COME FROM ALBERTO

WHILE a footballing brain is 50 per cent something you are just born with, an innate sense of what is happening on the pitch around you, the other half can be learnt.

There are no questions regarding Moreno's attacking prowess; his pitch-long bursts and ferocious left foot make him a genuine threat at that end of the pitch.

Yet in defence, there are questions. More like full on inquisitions... Simply put, he doesn't quite have the footballing head on the defensive end.

The Spaniard is often caught out of position or misses a key tackle. He's even been known to panic himself into slicing the ball to an opponent in a dangerous area.

But, if any man can get the best out of Moreno, it's Klopp.

His man-management skills are second-to-none, while his tactical know-how is well documented.

If he can get a team of coaches teaching him the mental side of defending, he could become a player worthy of donning the famous red shirt.

Klopp almost certainly had this in mind when refusing to bring in another left-back.

NO RUN OF THE MIL, BOSS

KLOPP certainly has a taste for the theatrical, the wacky, the left-field...

Or perhaps that should be left-back, as he has started midfielder Milner in that position a number of times this term.

Milner has long been lauded as a versatile player, starting his career as a right-midfielder, before swapping to a central role more recently.

He has been deployed at right-back by England, under Roy Hodgson ahead of the 2014 World Cup, but that move bore little fruit.

Yet it did not deter Klopp who was - and still is - adamant Milner can do a role on the left side of his back four.

The former Manchester City man is solid in the tackle, has a good footballing brain and is a good passer and crosser.

This could easily be a reason Klopp decided not to dive into the transfer market, however, there are obvious drawbacks to this method.

Firstly, Milner is right-footed. Not an instant issue, but that combined with the fact he was never blessed with raw pace mean two key attributes for a full-back are already missing from his game.

And that's not something that can be taught...

NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE

MANY of you may have forgotten one player who could do a job on the left-side of defence: Joe Gomez.

The former Charlton man, 19, enjoyed a solid start to his Reds career, actually kicking off his days as an Anfield player on the left - against Stoke.

He even doled out the assist for the winner, with Philippe Coutinho rifling home an early contender for goal of the season in a late, 1-0 win.

Gomez has been capped at England Under-21 level as well as looking more than at home in the Premier League.