KLOPP DEFENDS REDS’ LAVISH SPENDING
Alisson deal takes Liverpool’s outlay past RM907 million
JURGEN Klopp has launched a passionate defence of Liverpool’s huge summer outlay and is not concerned about whatever criticism comes his way.
This has been the most aggressive window in Liverpool’s modern history and their spending went beyond RM907 million last Thursday after they paid a world record £65 million (RM247 million) for Brazil goalkeeper Alisson Becker to supplement the additions of Naby Keita, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Given that Liverpool also broke the world record for a central defender (£75 million) to sign Virgil van Dijk from Southampton, it has left their rivals — specifically the Manchester clubs — asking questions about comments Klopp made in July 2016 while in Los Angeles.
Shortly after Manchester United paid £89.3million (RM476 million) for Paul Pogba, Klopp said: “Other clubs can go out and spend more money and collect top players. I would do it differently if I could spend that money.’
Klopp raised a smile when the subject was raised ahead of Liverpool’s opening International Champions Cup game against Borussia Dortmund but he was firm in his response and made it clear criticism from elsewhere will have no effect.
“We don’t care what the world around us is thinking, like Manchester United didn’t care what I said,’ said Klopp.
“It is only an opinion in that moment. Did I change my opinion? Yes. But it is better to change your opinion than never have one.
“I couldn’t imagine the world would change like that two years ago. £100million (RM534 million) was a crazy number. Since then the world has changed completely.”
Nowhere has that been more evident than Anfield. At the end of the 2016-17 season, Liverpool’s club transfer record remained the £35million (RM187 million) that was lavished on Andy Carroll in January 2011. Since then, though, Klopp has gone beyond that fee for players six times.
Mohamed Salah (RM197 million), Alex Oxlade Chamberlain (RM213 million) and Van Dijk (RM400 million), arrived last season, with Keita (RM280 million), Fabinho (RM233 million) and Alisson (RM347 million) following on this summer. Klopp, though, believes such figures will now become the norm.
“I am sure at this moment we have signed the most expensive goalkeeper,’ said Klopp. ‘It is early in the transfer window. There will be some nice transfers elsewhere to follow. My responsibility is for this club to be as successful as possible.
“We have a really good squad. To improve it is expensive. Better players than we already have are not waiting around the corner.
“It has been a good year for us. But we needed to replace Emre Can so we brought in Fabinho — good business. Keita was a no brainer. Shaqiri had a lot of good games for Stoke.
“You can’t get players like him on a free transfer.”
Klopp was asked about whether there will be any more signings for Liverpool in this window, specifically regarding Dortmund forward Christian Pulisic.
“He’s a fantastic player and if he wants to play in England one day, for sure he has the chance to do so. But at this moment he’s in a really good club for his development.”