Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool can't afford to "splash the cash" in the transfer market this month - and hinted any further arrivals will be dependent on player sales.
The Reds made a surprise move last week then they agreed a deal worth an initial £37m for Holland international attacker Cody Gakpo from PSV Eindhoven, bringing forward an anticipated summer attempt to sign the player due to the long-term injuries suffered by Luis Diaz and Diogo Jota.
Despite the expensive mid-season outlay, Liverpool continue to be linked with a number of midfielders given the issues in the engine room that have plagued them during much of a difficult first part of the campaign.
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And while reiterating his belief in the players already at his disposal, Klopp issued a reminder the Reds cannot spend beyond their means under owners Fenway Sports Group and will not "play like Monopoly" with money in the transfer window.
"I am now here seven years and a few months, and every window is pretty much the same," said the Liverpool boss. "We talk about these things as though money wouldn't play a role. It is never like this, that we can just spend money.
"I don't want to disappoint anybody and their dreams, but we sign an outstanding player like Cody Gakpo and the next thing you read is 'who's next?'. It's like we didn't have a team.
"Honestly, we cannot play like Monopoly. We never did and I don't understand it. Of course we cannot just spend and never could. And we always sort our situations. It is a big part of my philosophy, really working full of faith and trust with the players we have and not constantly questioning them by telling them that we need another player in their position.
"But that somebody is surprised when I say we will not now start splashing the cash - is that the phrase? I never did it but I know it anyway! - that should be really clear. If there is something we can do, and that was always the case, and that means the right player and financial situation, we will do it. Then if not, then no."
Klopp added: "With Cody, it's obvious and not only because we have that void now (on the left wing), the quality he has, the timing is perfect and if we had waited until the summer he would definitely have been even more expensive or somebody else could have signed him. He has a lot of potential so it makes absolute sense.
"The games we have in the coming years, there won't be fewer, there will be more. It is clear that you need real quality in all positions and probably two teams with the same level that you can rotate and that is what we try to prepare."
Under FSG, Klopp has been allowed to invest funds raised from player sales on new recruits. And while revealing there has been no suggestion of anyone wanting to leave Liverpool, he would find it difficult to stand in their way should they express such a desire.
"That is a different situation, but I don’t know," said the Reds boss. "The transfer market hasn't opened yet. Nobody came to me so far and asked to leave the club.
"If that should be the case, then I always listen to players because the last thing I want to do is force somebody to stay at Liverpool. Nobody came yet, but the transfer window opens in a few days. Maybe they are waiting for that, I don't know."
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