Not so long ago, Liverpool fans up and down the land were dreaming of the prospect of a Jadon Sancho, a Kylian Mbappe, a Timo Werner or a Kai Havertz arriving at Anfield to add another coat of gloss to Jurgen Klopp’s gleaming selection of superstars.
But there a few people in football more attuned to current affairs and the state of the world as this most charismatic of football coaches.
And, during a period of unprecedented financial uncertainty, Klopp made it clear that the sight of a £100 million superstar rocking up on Merseyside this summer might be rather difficult to swallow – especially in an era where some football clubs are worrying about their very existence, let alone their transfer budget.
“There are a lot of good players on this planet,” Klopp told Sky this month. “Timo Werner is a great player, Kai Havertz is a great player.
“At the moment, all clubs are losing money. Discussing with the players about things like salary waivers and on the other hand buying a player for £50-60m, we would have to explain…”
But while Werner, Havertz and Sancho may not be Anfield bound this summer, that does not mean that there are not other, more affordable options on the open market.
Free agent
It is well documented that Klopp is a huge fan of a certain Max Kruse.
Back in 2014, he named the former Werder Bremen and Borussia Monchengladbach man, rather than Robert Lewandowski, Mario Gotze, Marco Reus or even a young Roberto Firmino, as the best player in whole of the Bundesliga (DW).
And, just 12 months ago, Sport1 suggested that the former Dortmund boss was mulling over the idea of bringing Kruse to Liverpool after a sensational campaign (12 goals, 14 assists) in the green of Bremen.
Flash forward to the present day and the Germany international is a free agent again.
As reported by AA, Kruse has had his contract at Fenerbahce cancelled by mutual consent after an apparent fall-out behind the scenes.
And if Kruse and Klopp are ever going to work together, this summer has a ‘last-chance saloon’ feel to it. A lethal false nine in the Firmino mould, Kruse is 32 these days after all and his time at the top level is coming to an end.
But Liverpool will have to think outside the box if they want to add some depth to a frontline high on quality but low on quantity.
Could Klopp hand a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to a man who must have thought that a dream move had passed him by?
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
