Lionel Messi: Jurgen Klopp says he wants to see Barcelona forward play in
Klopp on Messi: “He has never played in another league other than in Spain. Football is different here. I would like to see it but I am not sure that I will.”
Last Updated: 28/08/20 1:42pm
Jurgen Klopp says he would like to see Lionel Messi play in the Premier League, but admits a potential move to Manchester City would make it “more difficult to beat them”.
Messi has told Barcelona he wants to exercise a clause in his contract, allowing him to leave for free with immediate effect, but the La Liga club believe it has expired and the player is contracted until 2021 with a €700m release clause.
Sky Sports News has been told that both Messi, who has played at the Nou Camp since 2004, and City boss Pep Guardiola want to renew their partnership at the Etihad ahead of the new season.
Asked how Messi’s possible arrival at City could change the Premier League dynamic, Klopp said: “It will obviously help Manchester City and make it more difficult to beat them.
“For the Premier League, it would be great 100 per cent to have the best player in the world, that would help but I am not sure the Premier League needs that boost.
Liverpool recovered from a 3-0 first-leg deficit to beat Barcelona in the Champions League semi-finals last year
“But it would be a boost for sure. It would be interesting as well to see. He has never played in another league other than in Spain. Football is different here. I would like to see it but I am not sure that I will.”
Liverpool face Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley on Saturday, less than five weeks after finishing 18 points clear of Guardiola’s side in the delayed Premier League 2019/20 season.
Asked whether Liverpool would like to sign the Argentina international, Klopp replied: “Interest? Who doesn’t want to have Messi in their team? But no chance. The numbers are absolutely not for us. But good player, to be honest!”
More to follow…
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