Video: Jurgen Klopp embraced Chelsea player before the game at Liverpool on Saturday

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Jurgen Klopp was spotted giving Mateo Kovacic a mighty warm welcome ahead of Chelsea’s Premier League fixture with Liverpool last weekend.

Liverpool’s tunnel camera captured the hug between Klopp and the midfielder before the pair went their separate ways.

Perhaps the Reds’ manager was trying to soften Kovacic up about potentially joining him at Anfield.

Any coach in the world would jump at the chance to sign the Croatia international, considering the enormous array of qualities he provides.

The 28-year-old can pass, dribble, tackle and even chip in with the odd goal and assist now and again.

He is still at a prime age for a player in his position, younger than almost all of the midfielders in Liverpool’s current squad.

James Milner (37), Jordan Henderson (32), Thiago (31), Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (29) and Fabinho (29) all represent an ageing midriff that surely requires revamping soon.

Naby Keita (27) has not exactly justified his hefty price tag, whilst summer signing Arthur Melo (26) has played just 13-minutes in an injury-ruined season.

Mateo Kovacic must remain at Chelsea

But Chelsea cannot really afford to let go of Kovacic at the moment thanks to their own midfield conundrum.

Graham Potter has not been able to call upon a stable combination since he replaced Thomas Tuchel in September.

N’Golo Kante hasn’t played since the second game of the campaign. Meanwhile, Ruben Loftus-Cheek is just recently back from an injury he suffered pre-World Cup.

Conor Gallagher has often played in a more advanced role, and Denis Zakaria only emerged as a decent replacement in the past few weeks.

With Zakaria also side-lined, Potter’s options in this department are still slim.

Especially as Kovacic has struggled with injuries as well.

He missed the Liverpool match due to a calf strain, but could be available for the fixture against Fulham on Friday.