Jurgen Klopp is relishing potential new investment in Liverpool that would enable them to compete for the world’s best players in the transfer market.
Klopp says he feels only “positive” about the future of the Merseyside club after current owners Fenway Sports Group (FSG) confirmed earlier this week they are sounding out potential buyers or significant investors.
Under FSG’s ‘we can only spend what we bring in’ transfer policy the chance of signing, for example, Jude Bellingham, would be highly unlikely with Klopp’s old club Borussia Dortmund reportedly putting a £100m-plus price tag on the richly talented England midfielder.
Aside from Bellingham, Liverpool have been linked with West Ham pair Declan Rice and Jarrod Bowen, Wolves midfielder Matheus Nunes and PSV Eindhoven winger Cody Gakpo.
Klopp has been relatively happy with FSG’s prudent strategy – the German has won seven trophies in his seven years in charge – but believes an influx of cash would enable Liverpool to take “risks” in the market which they haven’t been able to do in the past, and potentially rival clubs like Manchester City, Chelsea and Manchester United for the most expensive talent.
The signings of Alisson Becker and Virgil Van Dijk were financed by the £145m sale of Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona, while Darwin Nunez’s £85m club record arrival last summer was largely offset by the sales of Sadio Mane, Takumi Minamino and Neco Williams.
Klopp said: “In the structure we had, we obviously were able to spend money but always we had to really look at what did we earn. That was always the situation and that was clear. We all know how two biggest transfers in the past – Ali and Virgil – happened. We got money from Barcelona and spent it wisely I would say.
“How we did it so far brought us where we are. Fine. But fresh money is no mistake, let me say it like this. Nothing gets cheaper. There is the inflation rate for all of us and football as well. Sometimes you have to spend.
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“If in the end it is not positive, then I can start worrying, but I just think everything will be fine.”
Klopp says recruitment planning will be unaffected by any potential sale of the club and hinted they could spend in the January transfer window.
“We follow the market all, the time, every day,” he added. “Nothing is decided yet what we do in the winter but there is no player in the world who scores a goal or goalkeeper who makes a save that we don’t know about.”
Meanwhile, Klopp has no fears that the seven Liverpool players heading to the World Cup – Alisson, Van Dijk, Fabinho, Nunez, Ibrahima Konate and England pair Trent Alexander-Arnold and Jordan Henderson – will ease their foot off the pedal when newly-appointed Nathan Jones brings Southampton to Anfield on Saturday.
The last time Liverpool faced a club with a new manager, Roberto De Zerbi’s Brighton, they were held to a 3-3 draw.
Premier League fixtures this weekend
Saturday 12 November 2022
- Manchester City vs Brentford, 15:00
- Bournemouth vs Everton, 15:00
- Nottingham Forest vs Crystal Palace, 15:00
- Liverpool vs Southampton, 15:00
- West Ham vs Leicester, 15:00
- Tottenham Hotspur vs Leeds, 15:00
- Newcastle vs Chelsea, 17:30
- Wolves vs Arsenal, 19:45
Sunday 13 November
- Brighton vs Aston Villa, 14:00
- Fulham vs Man United, 14:00
Guardiola warns World Cup federations against meddling with players
Pep Guardiola insists the World Cup will have no bearing on his Manchester City team selection on Saturday – and warned federations thinking of asking him to rest players not to waste their time.
Norwegian international Erling Haaland and Algerian forward Riyad Mahrez are the only senior City players not heading to Qatar next week. But Guardiola reacted unequivocally to the notion that national FAs may contact Premier League clubs and request that their star players be left out of the final fixture before the tournament.
City host Brentford at lunch-time and Guardiola said: “Absolutely, we are not going to rest players for the national teams. Absolutely, no. I don’t have any information about that and I didn’t get any [requests]. But it’s not necessary to call me … I advise [any international team managers] – don’t call me!”
With Haaland still recovering from recent minor illness and injury, Guardiola could very well name a starting XI today who will all be going to Qatar. Guardiola is sympathetic if their minds wander ahead to the World Cup but warns that could be a dangerous mistake.
“What I’ve seen so far, (wins) against Chelsea and Fulham, when it was 10 against 11, the commitment about what they have to do has been 100 per cent,” he said. “But it’s the last game. Most of the players right after the game leave for their home countries, play for their national team. I’m pretty sure they are already packing, it’s a dangerous thing. They have to stay [focused], we spoke a few times about it. It is still four days, three days away … don’t leave yet! Afterwards, they will have time to think about the national team.”
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With City already the longest employer of the Catalan’s managerial career, Guardiola admits he will never spend seven years with another club, as he has with the Blues.
“Stay in another place for seven years? No, I don’t think so,” said Guardiola. “It is difficult to find what I have here as a manager. To be a manager for long time you need to so supported, the results help a lot, that is undeniable.
“In this world they sack you, they fire you, we know that. But part of that is at big clubs the part of the success of the manager is the chairman, sporting director especially and all the people here. It goes to the media, fans and players, there is stability. This is why I think only in few clubs this can happen.”
Specifically, on the question of whether contract talks are scheduled while in Abu Dhabi – something that has been widely speculated – Guardiola refused to answer.
“I said many times, I don’t talk about that,” he said. “Everything is under control, it’s perfect, the decision will be made together with the club the moment it has to be made.”
Conte reassures England fans about Kane fitness ahead of World Cup
Tottenham manager Antonio Conte assured England supporters that they should not fret over Harry Kane’s fitness.
The Italian set alarm bells ringing on Wednesday night by claiming the England captain was “really, really tired”. Now Conte is hopeful that an eight-day rest period between today’s Premier League game with Leeds and England’s opening group fixture will be enough for the forward to recharge his batteries.
“The fans must not be worried for him,” he said. “He is working very well. Also we are talking about a player with great experience to manage his body.” I think Harry is going to play a fantastic World Cup because in this season he was never injured, he has been able to train well, he is good physically. He has the desire – and his eyes are full of energy.”
Nevertheless, Gareth Southgate would still have to monitor Kane’s workload carefully, Conte added.
“When you are a top player it is very difficult for the manager to put them on the bench,.” he said. “You need your top players to play. There is a big risk for all the national teams – all the players have played a lot. The coach of the national teams have to be very good to manage the situation. Until now, we have managed the situation, and believe me, it was really, really difficult.”
Conte also says he has still to convince himself that he “deserves” a new contract at Tottenham. The Italian has, however, decided that he has done a good job in trying circumstances so far this season.
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The 53-year-old appears keen for his own options to be left open for as long as possible however.
“I think everything you need to deserve,” he said. “For this reason it will be important to see the rest of the season what happens and if we are happy with the improvement we’re doing. On my side, it is important for me professionally to feel I deserve to have a new contract with this club. I have to feel this. But for sure we’ll talk and find the best solution.
“Every manager, when you start a path with a new club your dream and your hope is to stay for a long time. Sometimes you are lucky to have good results and to find the club with the same ambitions as you. The reality, unfortunately, is not always this.”
Premier League top scorers so far in 2022/23
- Erling Haaland – Man City – 18
- Harry Kane – Tottenham – 11
- Aleksandr Mitrovic – Fulham – 9
- Ivan Toney – Brentford – 8
- Miguel Almiron – Newcastle – 8
- Leandro Trossard – Brighton – 7
- Rodrigo – Leeds – 7
- Roberto Firmino – Liverpool – 6
- Mohamed Salah – Liverpool – 6
- Phil Foden – Man City – 6
- Callum Wilson – Newcastle – 6
- James Maddison – Leicester – 6
- Wilfried Zaha – Crystal Palace – 6
Potter says Premier League clubs should consider flying less
Graham Potter believes it is time Premier League clubs contributed to efforts to help the environment by limiting the use of air travel for away games.
Potter’s Chelsea side today face Newcastle at St James’s Park after making the longest away trip of their league campaign by plane, but the Blues manager is convinced it is time for top-flights clubs to reduce the use of planes whenever they can.
“Generally I think we can do better,” said Potter. “If you want to get warm weather training, then I understand. But also if you think about the amount of emissions that come from long-haul flights, that is not great. Flying long-haul is something to consider. But we are in the Premier League and we have to try to prepare as best we can.
“How we fly to Premier League games is something to consider. We fly domestically – that’s also a challenge. We should be able to find a solution, definitely. It isn’t straightforward but if we are serious about it, which we should be, then we should think about it.”
Meanwhile, Potter has backed Reece James and Ben Chilwell to overcome their disappointment at being forced to call time on their World Cup dream.
The Chelsea full-backs have missed out on a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad after picking up injuries in recent weeks.
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James expressed his disappointment in an emotional message posted on social media this week and while Potter, the Blues manager, understands the reaction of both players, he believes they have the strength of character to put this setback behind them.
Potter added: “It’s a natural reaction isn’t it, to be disappointed? Reece thought he’d be close and he did everything he could to give himself a chance but in the end he fell a little bit short.
“Obviously I can understand the decision and Reece’s frustration and disappointment. We just try to focus on the rehab and to get them back as soon as we can. It’s a World Cup and they don’t come around very often, so to miss them is disappointing – but they’re both strong characters. They’ll be fine.”
Arteta says planning around World Cup presents difficulties for Arsenal staff
Mikel Arteta is a stickler for the finer details but the Arsenal manager admits even he and his staff will be left guessing at how the return to Premier League action will look after a gruelling winter World Cup.
Victory at Wolves on Saturday night will ensure, at least, that Arsenal are top of the table heading into the break as they continue to do battle with reigning champions Manchester City at the Premier League summit.
Arteta will then lose 10 of his players to their respective nations, the remainder staying behind to train at London Colney and also in Dubai, where Arsenal will play friendlies against Lyon and AC Milan.
While the Spaniard is planning some down time – revealing he will be spending time with his family, writing in his journal and plotting Arsenal’s post-World Cup course – he will also be so busy preparing those players at his disposal he is not sure if he will be able to take in any games in Qatar.
“I would like to but I don’t know if we’re going to be able to do that,” he said. I’d like to watch a few games and watch our players live but I don’t know if we’re going to be able to do that.”
Asked about being top at Christmas, and throughout the World Cup, he added: “It will be great but our focus is to play better every day. Try to play better tomorrow than we did against Chelsea. If we do that tomorrow our chances of winning will be greater and that’s where the focus is.”
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“We can guess, but in football, guesses very rarely give you the correct answer,” he said “But we’ll try to prepare. The way we’re going to communicate with our players is going to be very important. Understanding how they’re feeling, what we’re doing and trying to support them and help the boys if they want anything and be there.”
One area where Arsenal will not be caught guessing is in the January transfer market – with Arteta keen to improve his squad even though they top the table and advanced as winners of their Europa League group.
“We have competed in a really impressive way with the numbers that we have, but of course if we can improve the team we are always going to be looking to do that as a club. It doesn’t mean it’s not good enough. It is short. It’s so unpredictable this window particularly with a World Cup in middle.
“We will have a look, we will try to get the squad stronger and as well be active because you don’t know what’s going happen in that World Cup. Touch wood everyone will be okay.”
There will be plenty of Premier League managers making the same wish as they sit back to watch the World Cup unfold – all the time guessing how it will impact on the rest of their seasons.
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