Klopp: There are no limits for the Saudi League

Jurgen Klopp has opened up about the challenges of having players lured by the vast riches of the Saudi League.

The Reds have been one of the main clubs that have been targeted this summer with captain Jordan Henderson and Fabinho departing to the Middle East while Roberto Firmino also chose to make it the next stop in his career in at the conclusion of his Liverpool contract.

This week has seen two pivotal members of the current squad in Mohammed Salah and Alisson also linked but to this stage there is no basis to those reports.

Undoubtedly the football landscape has been changed, but for how long is the question, and one that no one really knows the answer to yet.

Before the Covid pandemic, it was the Chinese Super League who believed that they could become a big player but that fell quickly by the wayside.

In comparison to that venture, the Saudis have been very structured in their planning and identifying the sort of players they want to be part of it.

And in a sobering comment, Klopp said there is nothing he could do once the bids came in for his two senior midfielders as Talksport ( per German publication Sport 1) reported.

“It was a special situation for us,". "Bobby’s [Firmino] contract has expired.

“Of course he can go and do whatever he wants. He just made his choice and that's perfectly fine. 

“When Hendo and Fabinho then sat in my office and talked to me about it, I knew when I found out more about the conditions that we have practically no chance of taking action against it.”

And the German believes that he doesn’t see the exodus stopping any time soon.

"I would say there are almost no limits. Anyone who can sign Cristiano Ronaldo and pay him for it definitely has no limits anymore.”

"I don't know to what extent and how long they want to go through with it and how big they will be.

“Ultimately, Saudi Arabia, like Qatar back previously, is already interested in developing their own football and their own players.”

“To what extent the financial commitment of Saudi Arabia will change world football, I can't see that yet, but things will definitely change."

While the issue of player movement is one part of the discussion, a more complex matter is surrounding Human Rights in that country.

Klopp is one of the most thought-provoking managers in world football and has a moral compass on a range of issues.

While he would have his thoughts on this particular matter he did not air them publicly, instead putting the onus on the country itself and believing that the spotlight on it is a positive.

“It is super difficult to comment and not burn your mouth, no matter which direction. Basically, I think that with all the different perceptions we have, we definitely don't understand the culture in all its details.

"As long as we only look at it from the outside, nothing will happen. If there is one positive aspect of the whole story, it’s that Saudi Arabia will be much more in the public eye. 

“We will learn a lot more about the league and the players' experience and will experience what life is like there. I think it's also a step in the right direction. You can't just sit here and say, 'This is bad, this is bad and this is bad.' From a distance, we don't have the opportunity to change anything.

"As more and more players go there and more and more is reported, we will understand more what is important and it will change more for the better. I'm actually convinced of that."