Jurgen Klopp admits there is "no chance" of Liverpool signing Lionel Messi from Barcelona this summer. The Argentine star rocked the world of football earlier this week by communicating his desire to change clubs, leading to a host of transfer stories across Europe. Manchester City has been strongly linked, as have Inter, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus with Messi, at 33, ready to challenge himself outside of La Liga for the first time in his club career.
Naturally, Interest in the story is high across the world, but Klopp says a move to Anfield can be ruled out for sure.
On Friday, at a press conference to preview the Community Shield against Arsenal, he said: "Interest? Yeah, who doesn't want to have Messi in their team?!
"But no chance. The numbers are not for us, so we don't even have to start thinking about it! It is clear; there is no chance.
"But... good player, to be honest!"
Klopp was later asked how he would react if Messi were to sign for Manchester City, and what that would mean for the Reds' title chances.
"It would help Manchester City!" he said. "It would make it even more challenging to beat them - and it was already tough.