A relatively recent Jurgen Klopp quote has come back to haunt him
Priority number one for Jurgen Klopp this summer was to fix a problem position that has been plaguing Liverpool for years. We are, of course, talking about the role of the goalkeeper.
After Lorus Karius’s historically awful blunders cost them the Champions League, it was decided that they just couldn’t go back to Simon Mignolet as their number one. So they did what anyone would do in that situation – break the bank.
Alisson Becker will become the world’s most expensive goalkeeper ever when he passes his medical. The Brazilian is set to complete a move from AS Roma to Anfield for a whopping £66 million. The shot-stopper has agreed personal terms on what is understood to be a five-year deal.
Back to bite him
On the subject of record-breaking transfers, Klopp had an infamous quote about Manchester United’s signing of Paul Pogba in 2016. At the time Pogba was the most expensive footballer ever. He set the Red Devils back €105 million plus bonuses.
Here’s what Klopp had to say about the transfer:
“Other clubs can go out and spend money and collect top players. I want to do it differently. I would even do it differently if I could spend that money.”
So, as you can imagine, this quote has been doing the rounds on social media since the Alisson deal was confirmed. Not to mention the fact that Liverpool also made Virgil van Dijk the most expensive defender ever when they bought him for £75 million.
Rival fans are absolutely loving it. They aren’t hesitating to throw this quote back in Liverpool fans faces, though to be fair plenty of Liverpool find it quite funny too.
https://twitter.com/stehoare/status/1019589054344716289
Waitttt wasn't Klopp complaining about spending big money on players after we bought Pogba? 🤔
Hasn't he just broken the Defender (VVD) and GK (Alisson) record transfer fees or am I crazy? 😂
— chuboi 🇳🇬🇨🇦 (@ChuBoi) July 18, 2018
I remember when Klopp pretty much slated United for spending £89m on Paul Pogba and now he will have spent £500m since being at Liverpool when the Alisson deal is confirmed 🤣😂
— Luke (@Crimmy_1997) July 19, 2018
Liverpool are spending some serious money this window .. massive pressure on Klopp to deliver trophies, it’ll be interesting to see if he still gets another easy ride from the press & media boys
The Pogba quote regarding spending big money on signing him looks sillier by the day
— Jimmy McBride (@jimmymcbride1) July 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/ConorPacKelly/status/1019596783826161664
As for the Reds, they’ve been quick to point out that context is key.
https://twitter.com/CallumWright__/status/1019574937890246656
love how opposition fans are bringing up past quotes from klopp about spending money.. the market has changed now and the simple fact is you have to spend money to compete.
i think a few are clearly worried about this liverpool team 😁🙈⚽️— Jordan Panter (@JordanPanter) July 18, 2018
https://twitter.com/Jaidovee/status/1019610179682398208
https://twitter.com/George___Owen/status/1019542099136536576
Remember when @ESPNFC used to be credible?
No? Me neither.#EnjoyTheSalt https://t.co/binppi29kF
— Liverpool Australia (@LFC_Australia) July 18, 2018
