Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says the newly crowned Premier League champions will not spend big money in the transfer market, saying it's hard to improve on an already impressive squad.
Klopp's side ended their 30-year wait for a league title last week as Manchester City failed to beat Chelsea.
The Reds have set plenty of records on route to a 19th championship, including securing the title with seven games to spare. They are on course to beat City's points tally for a single season of 100 set in 2018.
With the financial impact of the coronavirus pandemic likely to be felt for years to come, Klopp said that, even if handed a sizable war chest, spending it would not necessarily be easy or the right thing to do.
They have already ceded to Chelsea in the pursuit of RB Leipzig striker Timo Werner, who signed for the London club for £53 million (Dh244m) just over a week ago.
"Covid has of course influenced both sides with ins and outs, that is completely normal, and it's just not likely that it will be the most busy summer in the world," Klopp told reporters.
"But maybe at a later point in the year, if the transfer window is still open, we will know more. But this squad ... look at it.
"It is not a squad you have to change now and say 'OK, we need this position and this position'."
The Liverpool boss said he had a "first 16 or 17" who could all play at the same level.
"We cannot spend millions and millions and millions because we want to or we think it is nice to do," he added. "We never wanted that."
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Liverpool fans celebrate
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Klopp's last big buy was the purchase of Alisson Becker for £65 million in 2018, while he also laid out a then world record £75 million for a defender to sign Virgil van Dijk in 2017.
While several players will leave at the end of the season - including former England internationals Adam Lallana and Nathaniel Clyne - the Merseyside club have instead focussed on securing key players and young players to long-term deals.
Wales under-19 international Neco Williams has impressed, along with academy graduate Curtis Jones and fellow young forward Harvey Elliott.
"You have to be creative and we try to be creative," said Klopp. "We try to find solutions internally and there is still a lot to come. We have three or four players who can make big steps."
Next up for Liverpool is a trip to recently unseated champions Manchester City, who are expected to form a guard of honour for the Reds at the Etihad Stadium on Thursday night.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Specs
Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Wicked: For Good
Director: Jon M Chu
Starring: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Jeff Goldblum, Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater
Rating: 4/5
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PREMIER LEAGUE RESULTS
Bournemouth 1 Manchester City 2
Watford 0 Brighton and Hove Albion 0
Newcastle United 3 West Ham United 0
Huddersfield Town 0 Southampton 0
Crystal Palace 0 Swansea City 2
Manchester United 2 Leicester City 0
West Bromwich Albion 1 Stoke City 1
Chelsea 2 Everton 0
Tottenham Hotspur 1 Burnley 1
Liverpool 4 Arsenal 0
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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Greatest of All Time
Starring: Vijay, Sneha, Prashanth, Prabhu Deva, Mohan
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
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England's all-time record goalscorers:
Wayne Rooney 53
Bobby Charlton 49
Gary Lineker 48
Jimmy Greaves 44
Michael Owen 40
Tom Finney 30
Nat Lofthouse 30
Alan Shearer 30
Viv Woodward 29
Frank Lampard 29
The biog
Age: 32
Qualifications: Diploma in engineering from TSI Technical Institute, bachelor’s degree in accounting from Dubai’s Al Ghurair University, master’s degree in human resources from Abu Dhabi University, currently third years PHD in strategy of human resources.
Favourite mountain range: The Himalayas
Favourite experience: Two months trekking in Alaska
What the law says
Micro-retirement is not a recognised concept or employment status under Federal Decree Law No. 33 of 2021 on the Regulation of Labour Relations (as amended) (UAE Labour Law). As such, it reflects a voluntary work-life balance practice, rather than a recognised legal employment category, according to Dilini Loku, senior associate for law firm Gateley Middle East.
“Some companies may offer formal sabbatical policies or career break programmes; however, beyond such arrangements, there is no automatic right or statutory entitlement to extended breaks,” she explains.
“Any leave taken beyond statutory entitlements, such as annual leave, is typically regarded as unpaid leave in accordance with Article 33 of the UAE Labour Law. While employees may legally take unpaid leave, such requests are subject to the employer’s discretion and require approval.”
If an employee resigns to pursue micro-retirement, the employment contract is terminated, and the employer is under no legal obligation to rehire the employee in the future unless specific contractual agreements are in place (such as return-to-work arrangements), which are generally uncommon, Ms Loku adds.
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
![Banners and flags hung up by Liverpool ] fans flutter from a fence outside the Kop end of Anfield stadium. EPA](https://www.thenationalnews.com/resizer/v2/EVR24524CWCZRGDMW7Y4CQ47NY.jpg?smart=true&auth=02a831d0e6f9edef0d7f36f4fdddf30137f9a840645ded477f310fd8ada61aa2&width=800&height=450)
