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Jurgen Klopp discusses the implications for Liverpool’s transfer strategy of missing out on Champions League play.
Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp, has stated that missing out on a spot in the UEFA Champions League in 2023–24 won’t affect the club’s ability to make summer signings.
The Reds are presently one point behind Manchester United in the Premier League, despite having played one more game than their bitter rivals. They are currently in fifth position.
Liverpool started the 2022–23 season very poorly, giving them little hope of making it into Europe’s top tournament. However, recent results have improved, with Liverpool winning their past five straight Premier League games – performances that have elevated them into top-four contention.
“At the moment, when you talk [to a player], you realise that he’s already clarified because we can’t tell anybody that we will be definitely in the Champions League next year,’ the German said.
“So if he’s talking to us then it’s probably already clear that he knows about that situation. It’s obvious that we have to fight for being part of the Champions League and to fight for trophies. And if you want to be part of that, you’re more than welcome. It’s only one thing which we can’t guarantee this year and this is Champions League football.
“All the rest is the same like it was before. It’s a fantastic club with a really, really good football team and an even better one hopefully next year. So that’s it, and that’s not so difficult. I’ve barely faced the situation that you are in talks with the player and everything sounds great in the end, he says ‘ok, now, see you if that happens’.
“We’re still Liverpool and that means we are really attractive for a lot of players and we should not forget that. That’s why I’m not concerned about that fact.
“Everything is more difficult without Champions League, that’s how it is. Especially in the long term; we should not do these kind of things more often. Apart from that, it’s absolutely ok the situation we are in, from a talking point of view and from a convincing point of view.”
Liverpool have recently been linked with a number of players ahead of the summer transfer window, with reports that the club are keen to get a deal for Alexis Mac Allister over the line by the end of May.
The Lens combo of Kevin Danso and Seko Fofana, the Eredivisie duo of Jurrien Timber and Ibrahim Sangare, and Atalanta’s Teun Koopmeiners have all received attention from the Reds.