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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Jurgen Klopp makes Liverpool investment admission ahead of potential FSG sale

Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool have to attract new investment if they want to keep pace with their main Premier League rivals.

The Reds entertain Chelsea in Saturday's with the Londoners having this week taken their spending since the end of last season to close to £400million.

Chelsea, now owed by a consortium headed by billionaire Todd Boehly, have spent £125m this month alone with more than £60m splashed out on Ukraine international forward Mykhailo Mudryk, who is expected to make his debut at Anfield.

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Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group are presently exploring the possibility of a sale of the club but are also open to outside investment. And with so many of the Reds' nearest Premier League rivals attracting new funds, Klopp believes there has to be an injection of cash in the near future at Anfield

"I can't see investment stopping in the future and that means we have to do it as well," said the Reds boss. "We don't talk about now because it's always slightly different, but in general.

"I believe in coaching, I believe in developing, I believe in team-building and using those things 100%, but meanwhile in the world out there the managers are really good, there are so many good managers out there it's crazy. So they believe in that as well, and if they start really properly spending and do those things as well, then you cannot not spend or you will have a little bit of a problem."

Klopp added: "We are here in a good position. I know that sounds strange because we didn't play our best football (this season) but in general we are in good hands. So we don't get crazy or whatever. We really know about the responsibility we have and we really try absolutely everything to try to bring us back on track and go from there and not to worry too much.

"The moment you build a new team, it doesn't mean you have to build it every year new. Then you can start from there and give players the chance to make the next step. We have quite a few of them already here. Then a lot of things are possible again. That's the plan for the future. It's not worrying that other teams can spend, it's probably a matter of fact. We have to react to that as well but not just to that."

Liverpool are 10 points off the Champions League qualification places in ninth place, with Chelsea one position behind. And asked if the Londoners' massive spending spree has made it more difficult to finish in the top four, Klopp said: "Maybe. It may get probably even worse or better, I don't know exactly how you want to say it.

"Interesting (the spending). I cannot explain it, I have no idea. But if the numbers are true then it's impressive.

"I don't think Chelsea can do this in the same manner for the next 10 years - I don't know, maybe they can. Other teams will have ups and downs and we just have to be there."

And of Mudryk, Klopp said: "He is a really good player. Played an incredible Champions League campaign with his former club. Speed, technique, goals, combines a lot. Chelsea obviously sort their problems differently to us, but let's see.

"Joao Felix played pretty much immediately when he arrived, so we probably can expect him (Mudryk) to play. That makes analysing a bit more difficult, but we know him. We have watched him in the Champions League and that was impressive enough.

"But Chelsea have a specific way to play, Graham Potter likes to play a specific way and that's clear. That's what we will prepare for."

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