Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp doubts Chelsea can continue spending at their current pace as he rates their new signing Mykhaylo Mudryk ahead of their clash over the weekend.
The Blues have already signed Mudryk, Joao Felix, Benoît Badiashile, Andrey Santos and David Datro Fofana so far in the January transfer window with rumours they are far from done.
When asked about Chelsea’s spending, Liverpool boss Klopp told reporters at his pre-match press conference on Friday: “Interesting. I can’t explain it, I have no idea. But if the numbers are true then it’s impressive.”
But Klopp doubts Chelsea can continue their heavy spending for much longer, he added: “I can’t see investment stopping in the future, so that means we have to do it as well. I believe in coaching, developing and team building 100%. But meanwhile the managers out there, they are all good and they believe in that as well.
“So if they start spending then if we don’t spend you will have a problem. I am not sure Chelsea can do that for the next 10 years though.”
On Liverpool and their model, Klopp continued: “We’re in good hands and we know about responsibility. The moment you build a team doesn’t mean you do it new every year. It’s not worrying that other teams can spend, it’s a fact so we have to react to that as well.”
Chelsea beat London rivals Arsenal to the €100m signing of Mudryk and Klopp has been impressed by what he has seen of the 22-year-old this season.
Klopp said: “A really good player, incredible Champions League campaign; speed, technique, goals. Combines a lot. So, having him on one wing and Felix on the other is interesting. Chelsea sorts problems differently to us, so let’s see.”
Liverpool are currently ninth in the Premier League table after their 3-0 defeat to Brighton last weekend but they did beat Wolves 1-0 in their FA Cup replay in midweek.
When asked what Liverpool need to do to move up the table, Klopp replied: “We need consistency in a good way. We have to defend at a high level which we haven’t done often enough, and based on that we can create chances.
“Wolves game a good example. A lot of things we did are things we have to do – we have to defend together, everybody. It’s intense and will never be different. We have to show we are ready for that all the time. It was a really nice night.”
Klopp will mark his 1000th game as a manager when the Reds come up against Chelsea at Anfield tomorrow in a important mid-table clash.
When asked about the milestone, Klopp told reporters: “Crazy. I never though about these kind of numbers and never thought I’d be allowed to do it for that long. You have to work 22 years and somehow arrive there.
“Most of the time it has gone in the right direction and what you learn from that is you solve football problems with football solutions and there is always a way out. For me it’s the best job in the world. Not a relaxing job or lots of holiday, especially not [in mind].”
READ MORE: Klopp and Liverpool dominate: which managers and clubs force the most Premier League sackings?
