Jurgen Klopp blames Saudi Arabia over breaking vow to spend £100 million on a player

Jurgen Klopp has addressed previous comments about spending £100 million on a player after confirming Liverpool have agreed a British-record fee for Brighton's Moises Caicedo.

The 21-year-old has been Chelsea's top target in the transfer window but every one of their offers have been rejected by Brighton, who want the highest possible fee for one of their key players.

But then Liverpool jumped in and outbid Chelsea, their opponents on Sunday, with an £110 million offer that was accepted by Brighton.

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The Ecuadorian is now able to travel to Merseyside for a medical and could become Liverpool's third signing of the summer and second addition from Brighton following the earlier £35 million capture of Alexis Mac Allister.

But Klopp has come in for criticism, with many accusing him of hypocrisy given past remarks on hefty transfer fees.

In 2016, Klopp said "the day that this is football, I'm not in a job anymore" after Manchester United forked out £89 million to re-sign Paul Pogba.

He also added that he "would even do it differently if I could spend that money."

Klopp's words have resurfaced many times, including last summer when Liverpool paid big bucks for Darwin Nunez.

He also made both Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker the most expensive players in their respective positions at different stages.

Image: Getty

Asked about the Pogba comments, Klopp told a press conference: "After that, we bought a centre-half for quite a decent fee (£75 million for Virgil van Dijk), we bought a goalie for quite a decent fee (Alisson Becker for £65 million). Our situation is always the same, we try to level it somehow (with sales), the things we invest in the boys and in the players we sell, it’s kind of that it’s not going out of any kind of range and that worked so far, but I know, I heard it immediately.

“I forgot that I said this but everybody reminded me and then I thought, ‘Oh, okay, yeah...’. I’ve said worse things in my life, to be honest, but that’s one of them.”

Klopp has been called out for double standards but has no problem with his quotes being brought up and stressed that the market has changed, particularly with Saudi Arabia's takeover of football.

Image: Getty

He continued: "Everything changed. Do I like it? No. Did I realise I was wrong? Yes. That's the way it goes. Saudi Arabia will not help with that. In the end, we have to try and make sure we get the best possible team together.

"50 percent will like it and 50 percent won't. We are trying to bring together the best squad for us. We cannot just point on players and bring them in, there is a lot of work to do. Sometimes one door closes and another opens up. If people want to throw my quotes from five years ago, no problem. I realise I was wrong."

Should the move for Caicedo come off amid talk of him still preferring Chelsea, it will take Liverpool's summer spending to £205 million.