Jurgen Klopp has spoken his mind when quizzed on Liverpool's ability to compete with Manchester City and their cheque book.
The Premier League champions have won four of the last five titles and are looking relentless in pursuit of another this term. Their efforts have been helped by the arrival of Erling Haaland with Klopp taking issue with the resources available to the likes of City and, now, Newcastle United.
Liverpool, who have run a tight ship financially, are themselves being linked with a global superstar in Kylian Mbappe. The Frenchman is looking to leave PSG despite only signing a new deal in the summer which has sparked speculation of a move to Anfield.
These are the latest rumours from the red half of Merseyside.
Klopp takes aim at City riches
Klopp has bluntly called out the influence of oil money on football, by insisting that “no one can compete” with Manchester City ’s riches.
The Liverpool boss is tasked with doing just that on Sunday, when a Liverpool side who have run the UAE-owned club the closest over the past five years, must find a way to stop City and their star striker Erling Haaland. Klopp though, when asked how he will do it, insisted that people will not appreciate his answer…because he believes it is an unfair contest.
“You will not like the answer, and you all have the answer already. Nobody can compete with City,” he said, with an explicit criticism of the imbalance in football for the first time. "You have the best team in the world and you put in the best striker on the market, no matter what it costs, you just do it. I know City will not like it, nobody will like it. You've asked the question but you know the answer.”
Mbappe coy on future possibilities
Mbappe remained tight-lipped when asked if he he prefers Liverpool or Real Madrid amid claims he wants a sensational transfer.
The French superstar's future was once again thrust onto the back pages this week, as bombshell reports emerged that he wanted to leave PSG - a mere five months after signing an extravagant new contract. Mbappe is alleged to feel betrayed by the PSG hierarchy, fuelling intense speculation - which the club are attempting to quash - that a move could be on the cards ahead of the January transfer window.
Away from the pitch, the 23-year-old has been focussing on philanthropy and recently launched the initiative 'Inspired by KM', which has been set up to help children in his native Paris fulfil their dreams. According to French outlet RMC Sport, Mbappe attended an event this week to launch the campaign, and it was there when he was asked whether he would prefer to sign for Liverpool or Real Madrid.
Klopp risks Salah anger
Klopp has described Manchester City sensation Haaland as the "best striker in the world" - a claim Mohamed Salah which might not be too happy with.
The Liverpool boss hailed Haaland ahead of the Reds' mouthwatering clash with City this Sunday, as his side will attempt to stop the Norwegian striker from netting his 21st goal of the season in just his 14th game.
Despite Salah scoring a spectacular six-minute hat-trick against Rangers in the Champions League on Wednesday as a striker, Klopp reckons that City manager Pep Guardiola boasts the superior player when it comes to operating down the middle.
