Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Liverpool are keen to continue with Jurgen Klopp in charge and will attempt to back him in the summer transfer window.

What's happened to Liverpool this season?

After competing for the quadruple last season, Klopp's side have struggled as they find themselves eighth in the league and on the verge of being knocked out of all the cup competitions.

A 5-2 home defeat by Real Madrid was the worst of a bad set of results which has seen the German take criticism, as well as the owners for the way the Liverpool squad has been built.

However, it seems that the club will stand by Klopp, and aim to help him rebuild his side to compete at the top again.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano hinted at a number of names Liverpool could look at in the transfer window, as well as confirming that the club intend to help Klopp start a new era at Anfield.

"What we can say is that Liverpool are already planning for an important summer together with Jurgen Klopp," he stated.

"They know Jude Bellingham is going to be the top priority of course for the summer, but they also have other names in the list. We know about Matheus Nunes from Wolves, we know there's interest for Mason Mount, let's see the contract talks with Chelsea, how they will proceed in next months.

"So Liverpool know that they need to refresh the midfield and also keep an eye on defensive positions. They probably need something in those positions, and this is why it's going to be a crucial time and Liverpool, because this is probably the end of the first era of Jurgen Klopp, but they want to continue with him.

"He signed the new contract just a few months ago and so the intention is to continue with Klopp, and to support the manager with a long-term project."

Does Klopp deserve criticism?

Although the squad, and the midfield in particular, is in desperate need of a rebuild, which may stem back to transfer decisions made by the Liverpool hierarchy, Klopp should arguably take some blame for Liverpool's collapse this season.

Even though he hadn't been backed with similar levels of transfer funds as the likes of Chelsea or Manchester United, Klopp's loyalty to ageing players has meant that Liverpool's team has become stale.

The likes of James Milner and Jordan Henderson were given contract extensions under Klopp, and both players are beyond their best years. Younger upgrades in that area of the pitch were neglected, whilst even the likes of Fabinho and Naby Keita are nowhere near the levels they hit last season.

Sacking Klopp may not be a solution at all, but the long-serving manager is certainly not blameless for the rapid deterioration of what was an outstanding team less than a year ago.

The club will need to back him heavily in the summer window, but with Liverpool on course to miss out on Champions League football, this horror show of a season could impact their ability to make big signings such as Bellingham or Mount.