In Liverpool news, manager Jurgen Klopp has called on football’s governing bodies FIFA and UEFA to “find solutions” on closing the Saudi Arabia transfer window earlier.
The summer window for Europe’s top-five leagues closes on Sept. 1 while Saudi Pro League clubs can still sign players until Sept. 20.
Liverpool have seen Roberto Firmino, Jordan Henderson and Fabinho leave Anfield for Saudi Arabia and Klopp said that European clubs need more help.
🚨 𝗢𝗙𝗙𝗜𝗖𝗜𝗔𝗟: Jordan Henderson’s farewell message to the Liverpool fans.
— Transfer News Live (@DeadlineDayLive) July 26, 2023
(🎥 ig/jordanhenderson) pic.twitter.com/J2b0JPQ9tB
In Liverpool news, when asked about Saudi’s influence, Klopp told a news conference on Tuesday: “It is massive, in the moment.
“Pretty much the worst thing I think is that the transfer window in Saudi Arabia is open three weeks longer. If I am right, I heard something like that, then at least in Europe that’s not helpful.
"You are a legend"
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) July 27, 2023
Jurgen Klopp pays tribute to his former captain Jordan Henderson 👏 pic.twitter.com/j56Map7bEU
“UEFA or FIFA must find solutions for that. But in the end, at this moment, I don’t know exactly what will happen.”
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola recently warned that Saudi Arabia has changed the market after the departure of Riyad Mahrez to Al Ahli.
A new chapter in my life. So excited for this moment and very proud to be a tiger! Let's do it, @ittihad! ⚫️🟡💪🏾 pic.twitter.com/XgNmiGt4Kl
— Fabinho (@_fabinhotavares) August 1, 2023
In other Liverpool news, Klopp also dismissed reports linking Paris Saint-Germain star Kylian Mbappé with a move to Anfield this summer.
“We laugh about it,” Klopp exclusively told Sky Germany. “I can say that I think he’s a really good player but the financial conditions don’t suit us at all.
Today I leave my home. It's been five years wearing this jersey and always with the greatest honor and happiness possible. Since day one at Liverpool, I've been embraced by everyone. What I saw inside this club, the relationship between the people there, made me feel like family.… pic.twitter.com/r2c7dOwKqV
— Fabinho (@_fabinhotavares) July 31, 2023
“I wouldn’t like to ruin the story now… but as far as I know, there’s nothing to it.
“It’s possible that someone else from the club is preparing something and wants to surprise me… that hasn’t happened in the eight years that I’ve been here. That would be the first time.”
Liverpool were not planning to sell Henderson and Fabinho and, having already seen James Milner, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita leave the club at the end of their contracts, have lost five midfielders on a permanent basis this summer.