Shay Given believes Newcastle United are 'ruffling a few feathers' sooner than expected and has fired back at Jurgen Klopp following the 'no ceiling' row. The Magpies legend has pointed to the deals for Alisson, Darwin Nunez and Virgil van Dijk as proof of the Liverpool boss not being 'frightened' to spend.
Klopp made the jibe last month after picking up on sporting director's Dan Ashworth comments on Newcastle's ambitions under the new owners. The takeover has led to a transfer spend in excess of £200 million in a calendar year, and Eddie Howe has quickly transformed the club from relegation favourites to potential Champions League contenders.
The Magpies currently sit eight points clear of Liverpool - although the Reds do have a game in hand - but suffered their only defeat of the season in controversial circumstances at Anfield in August. Klopp has recently revealed his fear that his side's inconsistency this term could put their place in next season's Champions League at risk.
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Klopp's sarcastic jibe became the source of controversy, with Howe himself warning his opposite number to be 'careful' and stressed he had to 'stand up' for the club in the face of 'inaccurate' claims. When asked about the Liverpool manager's comments, Given could not help but point out the transfer investment on Merseyside in recent seasons.
The former number one told Mega Casino : "Klopp is a fantastic manager and has been an excellent character in the Premier League. He hasn’t been frightened to spend a few quid himself - £75 million on van Dijk, £70 million on the keeper and £85 million on Darwin in the summer.
"Clubs are looking over their shoulder and will be thinking that Newcastle’s development is happening a little bit quicker than they thought it would. Man United, Tottenham and Chelsea will be thinking about their own Champions League qualification, so credit to Eddie Howe for ruffling a few feathers. Hopefully they can continue that for the remainder of the season."
Liverpool earned their first away league victory of the season at Tottenham last time out, and face currently managerless Southampton at Anfield in their final fixture before the World Cup break. Given reckons their indifferent start makes them the 'Big Six' side 'most at risk' of failing to reach the top four, but also points out how Klopp's side have proven their doubters wrong before.
He added: "You would think that Liverpool are the team most at risk from missing out, but I wouldn’t rule them out. OK they are the furthest back, but look at the result where they went to Tottenham and won quite easily. They will need to go on a really long run to get back in the mix, but we’ve seen them do it before."
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