Jurgen Klopp has boldly criticised the effect of 'oil money' on football, inferring that "no one can compete" with the wealth of Manchester City. The German coach has stated that financial fair play regulations don't prevent Gulf state-owned clubs from doing what they want and, as a result, his side cannot contest financially with the Premier League defending champions.
Man City and Liverpool are set to go head-to-head at the Etihad on Sunday afternoon with the newly formed rivalry set to be rekindled. Unlike in seasons past, both clubs have enjoyed contrasting fortunes this term, with the hosts ranking second on the league table with 23 points and maintaining an unbeaten record after nine match days. On the other hand, Liverpool have struggled for form, having only secured 10 points from a possible 24.
Much of the success of City can be attributed to the signing of Erling Haaland who, since arriving from Borussia Dortmund this summer for $57M, has already taken the league by storm. The striker has been efficient in front of the post, registering 15 goal in his first nine outings.
Speaking at the press conference organzed ahead of Sunday's blockbuster clash at the Etihad, Klopp was quick to highlight how the likes of Man City, Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle evade certain financial constraints within the Financial Fair Play rule book. Asked whther his Liverpool could keep pace with Pep Guardiola's team, he replied: "Oh, you won't like the answer. You will not like the answer, and you all have the answer already. Nobody can compete with City in that.
"You have the best team in the world and you put in the best striker on the market. No matter what it costs, you just do it. I know City will not like it, nobody will like it, you've asked the question but you know the answer.
He added: "What does Liverpool do? We cannot act like them. It is not possible. Not possible. It is just clear and again you know the answer. There are three clubs in world football who can do what they want financially. It's legal and everything, fine, but they can do what they want. They will say 'yeah but we have...' but it's exactly the fact.
"I heard now that at Newcastle somebody (sporting director Dan Ashworth) said 'there is no ceiling for this club'. Yes! He is right. He is absolutely right. There is no ceiling for Newcastle. Congratulations, but other clubs have ceilings."
Ahead of Sunday's Premier League affair, Liverpool will be eyeing an unlikely win as 13 points currently seperate them and Man City.
