“It’s clear, there are three clubs in world football that can do what they want financially. It’s legal and that’s fine, but they can do what they want.” Do you compete with them? It’s impossible to process.”
Jurgen Klopp was a little frustrated when asked how his side could compete with Manchester City last season. The question was asked ahead of the game at Anfield, where Liverpool sit 13 points behind their rival.
Liverpool have been the biggest threat to Pep Guardiola’s side in recent years, but the arrival of Erling Haaland has seen City once again use their financial means to achieve another success. Moreover, the other side seemed to follow a similar formula. Newcastle’s acquisition of Saudi Arabia helped them secure a top-four finish and a Champions League spot thanks to cash flow and new signings.
Klopp, meanwhile, is wondering how he can force his side into the competition after seeing his aging side struggle for fifth place after underperforming in the second half of the season.At the time, Liverpool looked like they were on the verge of falling behind. City and Newcastle are two of the three teams mentioned by Klopp who can do whatever they want in the transfer market. It’s unclear who will be third, but unless it’s another Premier League team, there will certainly be a few contenders. It allows you to go closer.
Whatno one at Anfield could have expected at the time would have been a Premier League night at the stadium. But almost a year and a half later, Klopp and FSG could finally get the helping hand they wanted.Of course, there is much debate as to why the league suddenly adopted Financial Fair Play recently. It seems unlikely that Everton and Nottingham Forest will be charged this season as the debate over independent regulators is often discussed.
