‘We cannot do it’ – Jurgen Klopp sends Liverpool transfer warning as Alexis Mac Allister interest grows

‘We can’t do this’ – Jurgen Klopp sends transfer warning to Liverpool as interest in Alexis Mac Allister grows

Jurgen Klopp says Liverpool will not exceed player quotas during summer transfer window

Jurgen Klopp is adamant that Liverpool are not being held for ransom over their potential summer transfer targets – and aren’t shy about looking for other names instead.

But the Reds boss is confident he will be able to sign the players he wants as the recruitment team steps up their efforts ahead of what is expected to be a busy season.

Liverpool are on the hunt for at least two new midfielders as Klopp looks to overhaul his engine room after a campaign that saw his team disappointed to leave only an away chance of Champions League qualification with four games left of the Premier League to play.

James Milner will leave on a free transfer at the end of the season, fellow midfielders Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita are also out of contract and Arthur Melo, on loan, returns to parent club Juventus. Striker Roberto Firmino has already confirmed he will leave this summer, while goalkeeper Adrian is also expected to follow. Liverpool have demonstrated as they walked away from long-term goal Jude Bellingham – valued at around £130m by Borussia Dortmund – that they will not pursue any signing at all costs, with goals now being trained elsewhere.

The Reds maintain interest in Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount, while Brighton’s Alexis Mac Allister has emerged as a priority, although things could get complicated with a number of clubs, including Manchester United, also courting the winner of the World Cup in Argentina.

But Klopp – whose side entertain Brentford on Saturday night – has indicated Liverpool will not be dissuaded by its stance of not overspending on players while operating within the financial constraints imposed by owners Fenway Sports Group.

Asked about clubs putting an extra bonus on goals because the Reds are interested, Klopp said: “Then we can’t buy the player. If they’re too expensive, we can’t do it.” “We’re going to bring in players, I’m pretty sure we’ll get the players we want and the ones that will help us. I’m pretty confident about that. You never know 100% until they’re signed , but that’s not new to some.” Clubs could try this (put a markup on the asking price).

“Let me put it this way: you identify a position and you don’t have just one option on the position. That means they should all be good, really good to be honest, you might have a favorite but if the other club doesn’t want to sell, or if someone else pays the price we can’t match, but we usually have the players we wanted. “The only thing is we can pay them and then they’re here. I don’t think too much about it, to be honest.”

Klopp is keen to complete the majority of Liverpool’s summer transfer tasks early to ensure the majority of his new squad are together for the start of pre-season by early July. Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich and Conor Gallagher of Chelsea are two other midfielders interested by the Reds.