Klopp is worried that Liverpool will continue to be siphoned off by the Saudi Pro League

This summer, many stars left the Premier League to go to the Saudi Pro League, such as Riyad Mahrez, Jordan Henderson, Ruben Neves, Kalidou Koulibaly, N'Golo Kante, Edouard Mendy or Roberto Firmino. And this wave shows no signs of stopping, as Saudi Arabian clubs can buy and register new players until September 20, while the European transfer window closes on September 1.

UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin is not concerned about competition from the Saudi Pro League, saying that this tournament only attracts players in the final stages of their careers or are not ambitious enough to reach the top tournaments. It is not an attractive landing spot for stars who are at their peak and in top form like Kylian Mbappe or Erling Haaland.

However, Klopp disagrees with this assessment and thinks it is too early to dismiss the threat from the wealthy Saudi Pro League clubs. "I don't think Haaland and Mbappe are really good examples," the German coach said on September 1 at a press conference before the match against Aston Villa in the fourth round of the Premier League. "They're young and have made a lot of money, so that's another story."

The Liverpool head coach also shared his colleague Mikel Arteta's view that the Saudi Pro League needs to close at the same time as Europe. "The next two weeks will show how big the challenge from the Saudi Pro League is, as no club can react to whatever happens. That's something UEFA or anyone should keep an eye on to defend. European football. I feel the Saudi Pro League as a threat or a concern. I want the European leagues to remain as strong as they are, and therefore to change and adjust the rules," Klopp said.

This summer, the two Liverpool players went to the Middle East, when Fabinho and Jordan Henderson joined Al Ittihad and Al Ettifaq respectively. The number may not stop, as Al Ittihad has not given up its ambition to recruit Mohamed Salah, and another Saudi Arabian club is also interested in goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

Klopp once again insisted Salah is an untouchable player, and revealed that he has not watched any matches in the Saudi Pro League. "I still love all the Liverpool players who go to Saudi Arabia, but have not seen them play," the 56-year-old coach admitted. "We're still a bit surprised by the brutality of Saudi Arabia. I haven't seen a game, but that doesn't mean I never will."

Before Klopp's press conference, although not officially announced, Liverpool had reached an agreement to recruit 21-year-old Dutch midfielder Ryan Gravenberch from Bayern for a fee of 43 million USD. Gravenberch is Liverpool's fourth signing this summer, after Alexis Mac Allister, Dominik Szoboszlai and Wataru Endo. Klopp refused to talk about this information, then revealed Thiago and Ibrahima Konate continued to miss the match against Aston Villa.