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Klopp backtracks on United spending criticism

Cape Town - Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp admits he has somewhat changed his opinion of big spending in football since criticising Manchester United for it.

READ: Klopp hails 'fantastic' Pulisic after Liverpool defeat

After the Red Devils signed Paul Pogba in 2016 for what was then a world-record transfer fee, Klopp said he would not follow suit in spending big on individual players even if he could.

However, on Thursday the Reds brought in Alisson from Roma for a reported fee of £66.8 million, making him the world's most expensive goalkeeper.

Following this, Klopp was reminded at a news conference of his past criticism of United. The German defended his comments, insisting he would have had no way of knowing that the world would change at the time he made them, but admitted he does not quite think the same way as before.

"First and foremost, my responsibility is for this club to be as successful as possible, and it's not about pushing through my thoughts on that and saying: 'no, I don't want to buy players, and I don't want to pay big money' and stuff like that," Klopp said.

"We don't care what the world around is thinking, just like Manchester United didn't care what I had to say about it. It's only an opinion in that moment, and did I change my opinion? Yes, that's true, but it's better to change your opinion than never to have one.

"Whatever people say about that - and bring it up again and again and again, what I said - I've had worse days in my life and I've said worse things, so all good, I'm fine with that. We have the players we wanted and I'm fine with that."

Apart from Alisson, the Merseysiders have recruited Fabinho, Naby Keita, Xherdan Shaqiri and Isaac Christie-Davies during the off-season.

Fabinho and Keita each cost over £40m, with Shaqiri reportedly costing £13.5m and Christie-Davies coming in on a free transfer from Chelsea.

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