Milner: Don’t sign up just for Europe

Liverpool will embark on a recordbreaking transfer spree to build on their top-four finish, but midfielder James Milner says those seeking an Anfield move solely because of Champions League football are “disrespecting” the club.

Fenway Sports Group is expected to spend well over £100million on new recruits, with Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk a target and rated at least £50million. That alone would smash the club’s transfer record of £35 million. Roma’s Mohamed Salah was wanted four years ago and is much-improved since then following an excellent Serie A campaign. Arsenal’s Alex Oxlade-chamberlain and Red Bull Leipzig’s Naby Keita are much admired and, despite Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic signing a new deal during the season, Jürgen Klopp bid for the 18-year-old a year ago and his opinion will have been enhanced by the youngster’s progress.

Liverpool are also interested in numerous world-class strikers, while balancing their ambition with caution. The club wanted to sign Monaco’s Kylian Mbappé last summer but were warned off. The fact a £103 million bid from Real Madrid was recently rejected means Liverpool are realistic about how high to set their transfer ambitions.

Milner, however, wants those who move to Merseyside to look beyond Europe. “It’s disrespectful to the club if you say the only reason you are going to Liverpool is for Champions League,” he said.

“With the history, the manager and the players at this club, it’s slightly disrespectful if the only reason you come is that.”