The Reds boss concedes that prices are on the rise in an inflated market, but insists he will never look to challenge a world record €222 million fee
Jurgen Klopp has vowed never to spend the kind of money at Liverpool that would see him rival Paris Saint-Germain’s record-breaking €222 million (£199m/$254m) deal for Neymar.
The Reds boss has just taken in a summer of elaborate spending, with a £75 million ($96m) move in January for Virgil van Dijk complemented by further big-money deals for Naby Keita, Fabinho, Alisson and Xherdan Shaqiri.
Klopp had been critical of such outlays in the past, but now appreciates that a modern marketplace dictates that sizeable investment is required in order to remain competitive.
He will, however, not be tempted into making history with his transfer dealings, with Liverpool and owners Fenway Sports Group not in a position to compete with the likes of PSG and Manchester City.
Quizzed by Kicker on whether he would ever consider doing a Neymar-esque deal, Klopp said: "No chance, no chance, no chance.
"We are not owned by a state like is the case at two big clubs. We have our limits. We have a conservative leadership."
Klopp did break one record in the latest window, as he landed Brazil international goalkeeper Alisson for £65m ($83m) from Roma.
That deal was quickly topped by Chelsea’s £72m ($92m) move for Kepa Arrizabalaga, with Klopp conceding that asking prices have risen across the board in the wake of remarkable deals done in 2017.
He added: "It feels like €100m back then is €500m today. When Neymar joined PSG for €222m, I shook myself.
"Back then I had an opinion, but an incredible amount has happened since.
"In 2017, Neymar joined Paris, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele joined Barcelona for a lot of money, and Kylian Mbappe [joined] Paris.
"This opened the whole thing, the money in the market. Now, if Liverpool wants a player, the other clubs want a bit of the cake too. That's the story.
"And you must also keep in mind that players like Mo Salah, Sadio Mane or Robert Firmino, players we bought for €30m to €40m, have a different value on the transfer market these days. That's part of the business."
prakashcr7
80
They don't need to spend such a huge budget on single player because they know better way of doing business. They made their team strong without spending huge amount of money.
DevilsUnited
46
First, I don't like the way price of players is going up but He should shut his mouth up if he doesn't value what he says. Last year he was saying he would rather retire but won't spend money as United, City or Chelsea and others but look what he did this summer. And when asked he said you remember huh and laughed, that's it. You are known as good coach but giving stupid opinions is always stupid. Who would have thought a golie would cost 70-80 million even a year ago and see the market now. It's just matter of a year or two and every average players would cost 100 and if you wanna win with good players, neymars price would be cheap. So talk only about your players and don't judge others if you are going to follow them sooner rather than later.