Jurgen Klopp says he would love to sign Lionel Messi for Liverpool, but the finances involved mean the Reds have "no chance" of landing the Barcelona superstar.
Messi remains at loggerheads with the club he has called home for almost 20 years, with a transfer demanded in the wake of what he sees as broken promises.
Barca were embarrassed 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals of the Champions League earlier this month, and have now replaced manager Quique Setien with the former Southampton and Everton boss Ronald Koeman.
Messi is being hotly-tipped for a move to Manchester City this summer, and when quizzed over whether he would like to add him to his Liverpool squad Klopp responded as many would expect him to.
"Yeah, who doesn't want Messi in their team?" said the Reds boss ahead of the Premier League champions' Community Shield clash against Arsenal at Wembley on Saturday.
"But no chance. The numbers are absolutely not for us. But... good player to be honest!"
Klopp went even further and cast doubt on City's move for the star, perhaps wondering if even they had the finances required to pull off the deal.
"It [signing Messi] will obviously help Man City and make it more difficult to beat them," said Klopp.
"For the Premier League, it would be great, that would help, but I am not sure the Premier League needs that boost.
"He's never played in another league. Football is different here. I'd like to see it. Not sure I will."
Klopp was also quizzed on his plans in the transfer market with the Reds having only brought in Greek defender Kostas Tsimikas this summer.
"We bought players in already!" he said.
"Kostas, the kids are getting closer and look well. I don't know what will happen.
"There is a long time to go until (the window shuts on) October 5th. We will deal with our situation like we always have. We will see how much we can or want to spend."
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