Jurgen Klopp admits Liverpool cannot blow their transfer budget on glamorous “Ferrari” signings, with the Reds apparently priced out of the race for Borussia Dortmund star Jude Bellingham.
Liverpool had been strongly linked with a close-season move for the England midfielder but are now believed to have switched their attention elsewhere.
With Real Madrid, Manchester City, Manchester United and Chelsea also reportedly interested in the 19-year-old, competition for his signature is likely to be fierce, driving up his price.
Klopp’s preference is to spend Liverpool’s funds on several players to improve an ageing squad that has badly underperformed this season.
In a pointed message to fans, the German made it clear the club have to look at the bigger picture rather than chasing a marquee signing.
“It is not about Jude Bellingham, my answer now, but I never understood why we talk about things we theoretically cannot have,” Klopp told reporters.
“We cannot have six players in a summer, everyone for £100 million ($125 million). Everyone would say that is clear.”
He added: “You have to realise what you can do and then work with it. That is your job. We are not children.
“When you ask a five-year-old what they want for Christmas and they tell you, ‘I don’t know, a Ferrari’.