You’ve just got to hand it to none other than Liverpool’s erstwhile manager Jurgen Klopp when it comes to taking the hard knocks and facing realism like a saint as he has likened talk of big-money signings to a petulant five-year-old asking for a Ferrari for Christmas. This was after the Merseyside club pulled out of the race to sign highly in-demand Borussia Dortmund midfielder Jude Bellingham.
Sources told ESPN on Tuesday that Liverpool had realistically terminated their pursuit for Three Lions international and former Birmingham star Bellingham, opting instead to re-allocate precious funds to a squad overhaul in the summer after an abysmal season with Klopp’s side languishing eighth in the Premier League table, far away from their previously lofty perch of recent years.
Klopp refused to address the media reports at a news conference on Friday that Liverpool ended their interest in signing the 19-year-old, preferring to speak tangentially saying that he doesn’t compehend talk over transfers that may not happen.
“There’s nothing to say about it [Bellingham], to be honest,” he told reporters. “If we don’t speak about players we sign or do not sign, why would I talk about these kinds of speculation?”
“It is not about Jude Bellingham, but I never understand why we talk about things we theoretically cannot have. We cannot have six players in a summer, everyone for £100 million. That is clear.
“We are not children. Ask a five-year-old what they want for Christmas and they say a Ferrari, you wouldn’t say that’s a good idea, it’s too expensive and you cannot drive it.
“Whatever we need and want, we try everything to get it but there are moments where we have to accept and step aside.”
Following the Merseyside club’s goalless tie with Chelsea and 2-2 draw with league leaders Arsenal, Klopp said his side is looking to build on the momentum as they prepare for a “big fight” against 16th-placed Leeds at Elland Road as the latter are the only team to have beaten them at Anfield in the league this season.
“We have to build on two games with good moments,” said Klopp, whose side is12 points off the top four. “We have nothing to lose, we have to try new things; everything is on the table. I’m looking forward to the game. Leeds will go with all they have. It will never be an easy game.”