Jurgen Klopp does not expect Liverpool players to seek transfers after failing to qualify for the Champions League.
Jurgen Klopp sends a stern warning to any player who wants to leave after a defeat in the back four (Image:
Getty)
Jurgen Klopp has told his Liverpool team he would be willing to personally take one of his players to another club if he decides to pursue a transfer due to his Champions League ineligibility. . The Red Devils' chaotic form at the beginning of the season made them almost knocked out of the top 4 despite a fiery comeback, having won 7 of the last 8 matches.
Liverpool's last defeat in the top flight came on 1 April when they were brutally knocked out by champions Manchester City in a 4-1 loss at the Etihad Stadium.
But despite the natural frustration, Klopp is confident his players will be successful before they regroup this summer and start again next season. Klopp is not worried about any of his players asking for transfers so he can continue to play in the Champions League, but if that happens, he warns they should expect a backlash.
The German said ahead of Sunday's trip to Southampton:
“If ever a player came to me and said:
'Oh, we didn't qualify for the Champions League, I have to go, I'll drive it myself to another club.
Training session in Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp is ready to lead any Liverpool to another club if he wants to give up CL football (Image:
Getty)
"I took the keys, [and said] 'get in the car, where you want to go, I'll drive you'.
“That would be something I would never be able to understand. It's like I'm saying [underline in a childish voice] 'Oh, we're not in the Champions League, I have to work in the Champions League, so I'll go'.
Liverpool have parted ways with outgoing quartet Roberto Firmino, James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita, but the Reds boss remains hopeful there won't be too many departures. Mohamed Salah was the first Liverpool player to take to social media following the team's disappointment and he has taken full responsibility for his team's shortcomings.
“We have let you [the fans] and ourselves down,” said the 30-year-old striker, who helped lead Liverpool to the 2019 Champions League title.
“We had everything we needed to qualify for next year's Champions League and we failed.
"We are Liverpool and qualifying for the league is the bare minimum. I'm sorry but it's too early to have an upbeat or optimistic post."
Salah signed a new long-term contract with Liverpool last summer and is expected to remain at the heart of Klopp's Anfield project going forward. Liverpool are expected to spend heavily in the summer transfer market with 3 midfielders and 1 defender.
However, any player who arrives at Anfield this summer must agree to play in next season's Europa League.
Klopp still believes Liverpool have the power to attract the best players - even if not in the Champions League.
"We're still Liverpool and we really attract a lot of players, we shouldn't forget that. That's why I'm not worried about that," he said earlier this month. "Things are of course more difficult without the Champions League, especially in the long run, and we don't have to do these things more often."
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