Jurgen Klopp has admitted Liverpool can't match the spending power of the likes of Manchester City, and also insisted there must be 'different ways' of building a team.
City have enjoyed a sensational window, having splashed the cash to bring in Jack Grealish for £100million, and they are also in talks to sign Cristiano Ronaldo, who wants to leave Juventus.
Meanwhile, Liverpool have been more frugal, spending just £36m on Ibrahima Konate, and Klopp has been forced to explain that his club are more restricted when it comes to their business.
'Do I expect a busy four days for us? Not really, but you never know,' Klopp said during his pre-match press conference.
'How much does it (signings from other clubs) change things? The options did not get worse for some teams, that is clear. There are so many different ways to win a football game, it is not all about bringing in new players.
'We brought in Ibrahima Konate, he was not a bargain and cost money, but all these offensive attacking players other clubs are signing is something they thought they needed. They had the resources to do it.
'We will not use that as any kind of excuse and go for it with all we have.
'I have no time to look at other clubs and think how will they line up. When we play them that is what we will do.'
Sportsmail has reported that City, who are expected to challenge for the title again with Liverpool, have opened talks with Ronaldo's agent, Jorge Mendes, over a sensational swoop for the former Manchester United man.
Ronaldo has officially told Juventus about his wish to leave, and Klopp has conceded to having watched on, fixated, from the side-lines like other transfer fanatics.
'I watched that like a football supporter and it is not about me to judge that,' he added, when questioned on the saga. 'If other clubs can do this, it is not a business of the future. It is not now and immediately.
'That is how some clubs are working and that is fine. There must be different ways, a team two or three years later and you need success. It is nice if you can win trophies, but even with the best squad in the world it is not possible every year.
'You need to make sure you develop as a team and club and that is what we did.'