Manchester City 'a little bit surprised' by Klopp's transfer comments

Jurgen Klopp's comments about Manchester City's spending habits are "not correct," according to the club's chief operating officer.

Jurgen Klopp had claimed Liverpool did not inhabit the same transfer 'fantasy land' as Manchester City.

Manchester City has been left bemused after Jurgen Klopp claimed Liverpool does not inhabit the same transfer 'fantasy land' as the Premier League champion.

City's chief operating officer, Omar Berrada, described the comments as "curious" after Klopp grouped the club with Barcelona, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain in terms of sustained squad investment. "It looks like there are four clubs in the world who can do it constantly. Madrid, Barcelona, City and PSG. You cannot compare that," the German said earlier this week.

Liverpool has signed two teenagers — Sepp van den Berg and Harvey Elliott — since winning the Champions League, while City broke its club record fee to secure midfielder Rodri from Atletico Madrid.

'Surprised'

"We were a little bit surprised," Berrada said. "Liverpool are a great sporting rival. I don't know why they would make these comments. I don't know why they would look at other clubs. It's not frustration or anger, we just find it curious that they'd be highlighting our spending.

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"We're fine with their spending. The reality is that all the top clubs invest as they see fit. Saying us, PSG, Real Madrid and Barcelona always invest GBP 200 million is not correct. We don't look at what others do."

Liverpool itself spent over GBP 100m on Alisson, Fabinho and Xherdan Shaqiri prior to the start of last season, which saw it finish as runner-up to City in the Premier League.

The clubs face each other in the Community Shield on Sunday.