‘Liverpool Don’t Need A Messi Or Neymar,’ Reds Legend Claims Klopp Won’t Buy Expensive Players This Summer

Liverpool legend John Barnes has claimed that the Reds don’t need a “Messi or Neymar” and they won’t “break the bank” to buy expensive players ahead of the summer transfer market.

As Liverpool are heavily linked with Napoli’s defender Kalidou Koulibaly, whose asking price is expected to be around $111 million, Barnes has said that Jurgen Klopp will aim to once again keep his budget intact and not compete with his rival clubs to sign high-priced players.

“Liverpool won't break the bank to sign anybody, the type of player Liverpool want isn't going to be a Neymar or Messi who you may have to break the bank for, so they will able to get the players they want, but they won't have to break the bank for them,” Barnes, who won the league title with Liverpool in 1990, said.

It was earlier reported that Liverpool have offered Dejan Lovren to Napoli as a part of the deal for Koulibaly and hoping to get the Italian side to lower the defender’s transfer fee. Liverpool, meanwhile, have competition from Premier League rivals Manchester City in the race to sign the Senegal national team’s captain.

“If Manchester City offer Koulibaly twice the salary, then he'll go to Manchester City. The whole idea that Liverpool are the champions and that means he'll go to them, that's not the case. Liverpool always looking to improve on players and you're always going to be linked with players if you're a big club and it's a good time to buy when you're at the top,” Barnes said in a recent interview, as reported by the Daily Mail.

Klopp’s Liverpool secured the 2019-20 Premier League title when Chelsea defeated second-placed Man City 2-1 at Stamford Bridge. They have ended the title race this season with seven games to spare. It was the Reds’ first league title in 30 long years and their first-ever Premier League trophy. After being a part of the historic moment, Liverpool players would not want to leave the Anfield side any time soon, Barnes has insisted.

“I don't think they'll be many signings coming to Liverpool. If there's a signing that they feel will improve them they'll do that, but that's no different to any other club,” the former midfielder added.