Jurgen Klopp ‘surprised’ by Cristiano Ronaldo signing but defends how Liverpool conduct transfer business
Speaking in a pre-match press conference (h/t Mirror), Jurgen Klopp said he was surprised that Manchester United signed Cristiano Ronaldo, but was adamant that Liverpool won’t change their transfer ideology just because of other clubs.
All of the big 6 clubs spent well in the summer. Manchester City broke the British transfer record to sign Jack Grealish while Chelsea splashed £97.5million on Romelu Lukaku and brought in Saul Niguez on loan.
Manchester United were perhaps one of the busiest teams this summer as they brought in star names such as Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane, and Ronaldo. Even Arsenal spent nearly £140million on signings.
Amid this, Liverpool’s only significant summer arrival was Ibrahima Konate for £36million. Klopp was asked about other team’s business this summer, but the German stated that there is nothing he hasn’t already addressed apart from the signing of Ronaldo.
“The only transfer we didn’t speak after was Cristiano Ronaldo, but all the other things we spoke before. No, I’m not surprised that they do it, I was surprised – but it’s a personal thing – that Cristiano left Juve because I didn’t know that would happen and that’s it.”
Klopp on the defensive
The former Borussia Dortmund manager clarified that Liverpool have succeeded with their prudent approach and will not sign players just to be a part of the ‘circus’.
“We thought it made sense that we sign up our squad in the moment that we have here and we did that. That is not as spectacular as all the rest around, I cannot change that because you cannot do transfer business just to be in a circus.”
Klopp’s comments, while sensible, will still go on to divide opinion amongst the fanbase. The club failed to bring in a new face in midfield once Georginio Wijnaldum left and Xherdan Shaqiri’s departure was also not supplemented with an attacking signing.
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There is still a long way to go in the season and there is, of course, the January transfer window in a few months’ time. It remains to be seen if the Reds decide to spend then, or if they trust their current squad until May.
