Jurgen Klopp blasts Man United's transfer policy

JURGEN KLOPP has taken a swipe at big-spending rivals Manchester United, insisting he would rather build a team his way than splash £100m on one player.

By George Scott

SPENDTHRIFT: Compared to United, Liverpool's £62m spending looks tiny

Klopp is refusing to lay out extra cash for cover or even a possible replacement for under-fire left-back Alberto Moreno, and has instead asked versatile England midfielder James Milner if he can fill in if needed.

United are set to complete the £100m plus signing of Paul Pogba in the next 24 hours. But Klopp insists his spending this summer is over.

Klopp, whose side lost their opening International Champions Cup game against Chelsea 1-0 yesterday, said: “If you bring one player in for £100m and he gets injured, then it all goes through the chimney.

“The day that this is football, I’m not in a job any more, because the game is about playing together.

“That is how everybody in football understands it. You always want to have the best, but building the group is necessary to be successful.

“Other clubs can go out and spend more money and collect top players. I want to do it differently. I would even do it differently if I could spend that money.

“I don’t know exactly how much money we could spend because nobody has told me, ‘No, you can’t do this’.

“If I spend money, it is because I am trying to build a team, a real team. Barcelona did it. You can win championships, you can win titles, but there is a manner in which you want it.

“If you all swim in the same pool, the pool is too small if you all go for the same players. There are a lot of players outside that pool, good players on to the next step in their career. We try to find them.”

Klopp has brought in six players at a total cost of around £62m, including Sadio Mane, Georginio Wijnaldum, Joel Matip, Lorius Karis, Alex Manninger and Ragnar Klavan.

He added: “I’m not interested in other clubs. They can do what they want and spend as much as they want.

“I don’t know exactly how much we have spent. For five or six players we could have bought one player for the same money but I don’t care. I have no influence on what other clubs do so why should I think about it?

“I am not the moral guardian of the league. It’s all about perspective. I am pretty sure it will stop somewhere. Where there is money somebody else will take it. That’s how it is in the football business.

“If we are convinced someone is the right player then we think about money. If we agree then we will do it but only then for the right price.”

Klopp has had discussions with Milner, 30, about the possibility of being his utility man this season, and the player has reluctantly agreed to take on the role if needed.

Meanwhile, new defender Klavan was taken to hospital after the Chelsea game and treated for concussion, but a CT scan has revealed no major problems.

He is expected to miss tomorrow’s match against AC Milan in Santa Clara.

Sat in the stands yesterday watching his old team was former captain Steven Gerrard, who now plays for LA Galaxy.

“It’s strange really, being so far away and then your club rolls into town with so many familiar faces,” he said.

“I’ve still got a lot of friends in the team and the squad. And I’m still friends with a lot of staff at the club.

“I always get regular texts from the owners, and I’m always wishing the manager and staff good luck for all the games. Of course I’m in touch with everyone.”

Gerrard believes Liverpool now have the right man at the helm in Klopp, who recently signed a new long-term deal.

“The manager has got that X factor and that little bit of magic about him – the way he goes about things and lifts people,” he said.

“You can see how close he is to the players and you can see he’s very demanding on the training pitch.

“I think it’s a very exciting time to be a Liverpool fan. I’m looking forward to seeing how well they do this year.”