Jurgen Klopp has responded to Manchester United rival Jose Mourinhos suggestion that Liverpools enormous £176million outlay this summer means they must deliver silverware.
The Merseysiders signed Naby Keta, Fabinho, Xherdan Shaqiri and Alisson – who is now the most expensive goalkeeper ever – despite Klopp having previously claimed he prefers to coach players rather than buy them.
Klopp had also criticised Uniteds purchase of Paul Pogba for a then record fee two years ago, and Mourinho remarked this week that his counterparts change in approach was funny.
Jose Mourinho challenges Liverpool to win trophies
Thats okay, but maybe this season finally you demand that they win. I think you have to be fair and now you have to demand [they win the league]. You have to say the team, with the investments not just this season, last season, that you made in January, that you make now, because that will probably be the record for the Premier League this season, I cant see anyone else getting close to spending what they have. A team that was a finalist in the Champions League, you have to say you are a big candidate, you have to win.
Mourinho, who faces off against Liverpool in Michigan on Saturday, also said Liverpool now have to win titles next season, but Klopp insists he will not let the United boss put pressure on him.
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Asked if Mourinho was trying to play mind games, Klopp told Sky Sports: Yeah, for sure, a little bit but thats okay.
But I heard as well that Jose found me funny and one of my biggest goals in life is to make Jose smile! It doesnt happen too often and if it happens because of Liverpool – well done!
More: Football
I said a few things [in the past]. I cannot really remember what I said but I know what I said about the Pogba transfer.
I would never talk about Manchester United unless somebody asks me about it but I am polite enough to give an answer if somebody asks me.
Thats not always the smartest thing to do, and I have absolutely no problem with what Jose Mourinho is saying. It is a free world and he can say whatever he wants.
If he is happy about our transfers even better, but we know that it does not mean you win automatically whatever.
Man United has a strong team and they will strengthen that in the next two weeks. They are already strong, the same as Man City and Tottenham.
Arsenal and Chelsea have new managers but they will be strong – plus a few others – so its our job to improve our own situation. Thats what we try to do but that has to happen on the pitch, not in the transfer market.
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We want to deliver constantly. We want to improve thats what we want to show and we will see where that leads us to.
Improvement means playing better football, being more consistent and entertaining the crowd in a very specific way – We are Liverpool and we stand for football. All I can say is that we will try everything we can to be as successful as possible and in the end we will see.
More: Manchester United FC
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Jurgen Klopp has responded to Manchester United rival Jose Mourinhos suggestion that Liverpools enormous £176million outlay this summer means they must deliver silverware.
The Merseysiders signed Naby Keta, Fabinho, Xherdan Shaqiri and Alisson – who is now the most expensive goalkeeper ever – despite Klopp having previously claimed he prefers to coach players rather than buy them.
Klopp had also criticised Uniteds purchase of Paul Pogba for a then record fee two years ago, and Mourinho remarked this week that his counterparts change in approach was funny.
Jose Mourinho challenges Liverpool to win trophies
Thats okay, but maybe this season finally you demand that they win. I think you have to be fair and now you have to demand [they win the league]. You have to say the team, with the investments not just this season, last season, that you made in January, that you make now, because that will probably be the record for the Premier League this season, I cant see anyone else getting close to spending what they have. A team that was a finalist in the Champions League, you have to say you are a big candidate, you have to win.
Mourinho, who faces off against Liverpool in Michigan on Saturday, also said Liverpool now have to win titles next season, but Klopp insists he will not let the United boss put pressure on him.
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Asked if Mourinho was trying to play mind games, Klopp told Sky Sports: Yeah, for sure, a little bit but thats okay.
But I heard as well that Jose found me funny and one of my biggest goals in life is to make Jose smile! It doesnt happen too often and if it happens because of Liverpool – well done!
More: Football
I said a few things [in the past]. I cannot really remember what I said but I know what I said about the Pogba transfer.
I would never talk about Manchester United unless somebody asks me about it but I am polite enough to give an answer if somebody asks me.
Thats not always the smartest thing to do, and I have absolutely no problem with what Jose Mourinho is saying. It is a free world and he can say whatever he wants.
If he is happy about our transfers even better, but we know that it does not mean you win automatically whatever.
Man United has a strong team and they will strengthen that in the next two weeks. They are already strong, the same as Man City and Tottenham.
Arsenal and Chelsea have new managers but they will be strong – plus a few others – so its our job to improve our own situation. Thats what we try to do but that has to happen on the pitch, not in the transfer market.
Advertisement Advertisement
We want to deliver constantly. We want to improve thats what we want to show and we will see where that leads us to.
Improvement means playing better football, being more consistent and entertaining the crowd in a very specific way – We are Liverpool and we stand for football. All I can say is that we will try everything we can to be as successful as possible and in the end we will see.
More: Manchester United FC
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