Jurgen Klopp says that a failure to qualify for the Champions League will not affect Liverpool’s summer transfer plans significantly.
Money has been tight at Anfield with the club one of many to suffer financially from the coronavirus pandemic. It’s estimated that will cost them £120million by the time fans return to grounds.
Their latest accounts published this week showed the club made a pre-tax loss of £46million to the year ending May 30 2020 and there will be further financial hurt to come.
But the club continues to be linked to some big names, including Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho, however, a lack of Champions League football may prevent top players from joining.
So while not making the top four will have an impact in reducing the amount of money coming in, Klopp does not believe it will materially affect his plans that much.
“I don’t think so, really,” he said.
“Playing Champions League obviously is massive, especially from a financial point of view for the club so it’s really important.
“If we cannot make that, then that’s not good. Definitely not. I don’t think it will change anything because the situation was difficult before and it is difficult after. Football is in a difficult situation. I don’t think it will change a lot.”
Liverpool head to Old Trafford on Sunday, where Klopp will have to win for the first time as manager if their top-four hopes are not to go up in smoke.
The Reds are already four points behind Chelsea, who occupy the final qualifying spot, and they cannot afford any more slip-ups after late equalisers cost them two wins against Leeds and Newcastle last week.
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Asked how necessary a first victory at Old Trafford in seven years would be to their European aspirations Klopp added: “More than 100 per cent. Even then if the others all win nothing changes for us.
“But without winning football games we will not end up in any kind of European competition, so for us everything is clear.”
Liverpool’s inability to take their chances has contributed to their recent bad results, with talkSPORT’s Troy Deeney saying none of their famous front three are natural strikers.
And Klopp admitted his players ‘don’t score enough’ and suggested the likes of Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino are lacking in confidence.
“We work on [confidence] and then it is another game and we lose it again because chances missed,” Klopp added.
“We don’t score often enough but we create a decent number so that is what we keep doing. We don’t shout at the boys, it’s just about the right info.
“A lot of things work out for us on a football pitch, but it is all covered by not often enough finishing and conceding a late goal.
“You can concede late, but when it costs you everything you’ve worked for, it’s really harsh and has cost us twice in a row.”