Jurgen Klopp has delivered his verdict on Paris Saint-Germain signing Lionel Messi and addressed the continued spending of the French side and Manchester City.
Messi became a free agent after his Barcelona contract expired in July and they were unable to offer him a new deal due to financial fair play rules set by La Liga.
The 34-year-old had spent his entire career at Barca, coming through the club's academy before going on to score 672 goals in 778 appearances.
But just days after confirming his Camp Nou departure, Messi signed a two-year contract with PSG, with the deal also including the option of a third-year.
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“It's also blue and red, so the difference is not that big,” Klopp told German publication Bild when asked about the move.
“It's difficult to imagine. But Barcelona are currently bathing the financial issues of the past. It is very, very rare that you go somewhere, really hit the plaster and then don't have to pay."
As well as adding Messi to their ranks, PSG have also signed Gianluigi Donnarumma, Sergio Ramos, Achraf Hakimi and Georginio Wijnaldum this summer.
While Manchester City shattered the British transfer record to bring in Jack Grealish from Aston Villa for £100m earlier this month and continue to be linked with Harry Kane.
But Klopp believes there is much more to football than just having the best squad on paper.
He said: “You can only play with eleven. It's not about who has the eleven best or most spectacular players on the field, but who makes the best of what they have together.
“Who makes the best of their opportunities? That is not unfair, it is just the topicality. A squad has to work.
“It's not that much fun when you have 40 players and 22 of them are not in a good mood any weekend.
“With us, all players have a right to exist and are very satisfied. But bringing in players just doesn't make sense.”
Before Klopp continued: “Paris played 4-2 against Brest. If you see the names of Paris you'd expect it to be 8-0 - but it was 4-2.
“The nice thing about football is that nobody knows beforehand who will win. Some have better chances, some worse.
“But everyone has a chance. That's what I think is great about football.”
