Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed the reason for his lack of business in the transfer market this summer.
The 52-year-old coach has welcomed teenage duo Sepp van den Berg and Harvey Elliott to the club, as well as adding veteran goalkeeper Adrian to the roster.
With deadline day fast approaching Klopp expressed the difficulty of improving a Champions League-winning squad and referenced last summer's activity as a reason Liverpool haven't significantly added to their ranks.
Speaking to Sky Sports the German manager explained the reasons for the Reds' quiet summer in terms of incoming players.
He said: "You should never do transfers because other clubs are doing transfers. That makes no sense, it's not about that.
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"And if you sit back for a second and have a look at the squad, do we need more players?
"People will say, yes, we need a substitute for Sadio Mane, for Mohamed Salah, whatever. But those players are here.
"So, do you get a one-for-one replacement? A big signing? People think that players from other clubs, other countries, are better than the players we have here but without really having the proof, because those players haven't played here, or whatever else.
"It's just that what is new is seen as more exciting. It's like with a new car. Your old car is completely reliable, but you want a new one and two weeks later it breaks down. It looks better, but obviously it's not that good."
The also opened up on the comments he made which seemed to frustrate Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola earlier this month.
"We have to pay bills," was the frank admission last week. "Sorry. Everybody has to pay bills, we have to pay bills.
"We invested money in this team. Now it looks like we are not. But we are not in this fantasia land where you just get whatever you want."
Klopp felt those comments had been misinterpreted, as he continued: "When I said we have to pay bills, that's normal.
"I know people took that as criticism for other clubs, but it was not the intention. I was just explaining our situation. Sorry, but we do have to pay bills. And that's all good.
"We invested in the team last season. We have the team, now let's work with the team and see what we do with it later. New players are never the only solution.
"And making this team stronger, the starting line-up, that's really difficult and very expensive and we don't have that money. That's how it is. You cannot go out with £150m or £200m and just say, 'Yes, that's the guy we need and he can make us better'.
"Because, also, that would only be if one of the others cannot play. These players, you can't really get, because they ask, 'When will I play?' and I have to tell them, 'When he is ill or when he leaves.' It makes it even more difficult.
"It's the price you pay for success and for having a good team, and it's also why I say settle down, watch, work, improve - because we have to - and then find the solutions in the moments when you need them."
In the past 24 hours Liverpool have had as many as four youngsters leave the club.
Harry Wilson joined Premier League outfit Bournemouth on a season-long loan, Taiwo Awoniyi made the move to Klopp's former club Mainz 05 also on loan.
Meanwhile George Johnston is close to a permanent switch to Dutch side Feyernord, and defender Nat Phillips has joined Stuttgart on a one-year loan move.
