Jurgen Klopp’s comments have stirred Manchester City the wrong way, with their COO Omar Berrada hitting back at Liverpool.

Liverpool have had a quiet transfer market this summer, with their indifferent activity in the window surprising many. However, Jurgen Klopp’s recent comments on the spending power of rival clubs in Europe and England, specifically Manchester City, have not gone down well at the Etihad. The Mirror reports on the response from Manchester City COO Omar Berrada, who has hit back over those spending claims.

Liverpool have not replicated their activity from last summer that saw them spend more than £100 million on new players. The players that came in included Alisson Becker, Fabinho, and Xherdan Shaqiri, among others. Jurgen Klopp has only managed to sign two teenagers – Harvey Elliot from Fulham and Dutch teenage defender Sepp van den Berg.

Klopp reportedly believes his side are well equipped to deal with the upcoming season and has, in turn, criticised the spending power of their rivals. His recent comments pointed towards taking a jibe at Liverpool’s rivals for the Premier League title last season, Manchester City.

He said, “It looks like there are four clubs in the world who can do it [spend money] constantly: Madrid, Barcelona, City, and PSG. Whatever they need, they do. You cannot compare that. That is the situation.”

Manchester City's only significant signing this summer has been Rodri. (Photo by Lindsey ParnabyAFP/Getty Images)
Manchester City’s only significant signing this summer has been Rodri. (Photo by Lindsey ParnabyAFP/Getty Images)

Keeping the focus on Manchester City and going by those comments, Liverpool have outspent the Premier League champions in the last few windows. Liverpool have spent upwards of £180 million in the previous three windows, while also shelling out £44 million in agent fees. City, in turn, have spent around £180 million in the last four windows with £24 million going to agents.

Hence, Manchester City COO, Omar Berrada has not taken the comments from Klopp all too well and has since responded to his words. Berrada was left confused as to why Klopp is taking a jibe at them, in particular, especially when their spending has been lavish in recent windows.

Berrada said, “We were a little bit surprised by what was said. Liverpool are a great sporting rival. I don’t know why they would make these comments. I don’t know why they would look at other clubs. It’s not frustration or anger, we just find it curious that they’d be highlighting our spending.”

“We’re fine with their spending. The reality is that all the top clubs invest as they see fit. Saying us, PSG, Real Madrid and Barcelona always invest £200 million is not correct. We don’t look at what others do.”

Things are certainly getting interesting before the English season’s curtain raiser, the Community Shield tie, where Liverpool and Manchester City face each other, this weekend. It would be a chance for the two clubs to resume their rivalry from last season. As things start heating up, it will be interesting to see if it translates to fireworks on the field as well.

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