Klopp defends change of heart on transfers

Jurgen Klopp shrugged off criticism of Liverpool’s transfer business after he previously said he would do things differently to big-spending clubs.

Klopp’s side this summer paid a worldrecord fee for a goalkeeper to sign Alisson from Roma in a deal worth up to £65 million, while in January Virgil van Dijk became the most expensive defender in football when he arrived at Anfield for £75m.

But two years ago, while Manchester United were set to spend a then record fee of £89m on Paul Pogba, Klopp had suggested he would quit the game if those large fees became the norm rather than the exception.

“It is only an opinion in that moment. Did I change my opinion? Yes. That is true. But it is better to change your opinion than never have one,” he told the BBC.

“We have the players we wanted. I am fine with that.”

Alisson’s arrival follows the signing of fellow Brazilian Fabinho from Monaco, while midfielder Naby Keita has joined from RB Leipzig and Xherdan Shaqiri from Stoke.

Klopp added: “The world has changed completely.

“Better players than we already have are not waiting around the corner. You can’t get the worldclass goalkeeper who had a really long contract at Roma on a free transfer.

“It is not for me to say we don’t want to pay big money because in the end Liverpool is not successful. That doesn’t work.”

Klopp also said that Mohamed Salah has come back from the World Cup with no problems.

The Egypt forward, who scored 44 goals in all competitions for the Reds last season, suffered a dislocated shoulder in his side’s Champions League final defeat to Real Madrid.

l Stoke have signed winger James McClean from West Brom for an initial £5 million.