Klopp: FFP rules are there for a reason and must be enforced

Jurgen Klopp wants Uefa to take action against any clubs proven to be breaking Financial Fair Play rules.

Liverpool’s manager says he has not read the allegations against Manchester City printed in German media over recent days, but as an advocate of the spending regulations he expects any wrongdoing will be punished.

“I heard about the Der Spiegel story but I didn't read it so far,” said Klopp.

“It is really difficult to comment but what I can say in general is that FFP is a really good thing. But we always thought that, if it is in place, they have to do something with it. 

“I have no clue what happens. I know it is about Paris obviously and Man City. I'm not sure if other clubs are being talked about as well. That's all I can say. I think FFP is a really good thing because it sets the rules and stuff like that. If everything is fine, then everything is fine. If not, then somebody should do something. That's all I can say but I have no clue about the real story.”

Liverpool have invested heavily in their squad over recent years, but not by spending above their means. All the revenue invested by Klopp has come from sponsorship deals, prize funds and player sales.

Asked if he felt his club is competing on a level playing field with City, he replied: “For me that is not important. We have better circumstances than other clubs. We have much better circumstances than Huddersfield, for example, but they don't blame us and say we have to find a rule so we have the same situation. It's not like that. It's only if there are rules, then accept them. That's all I can say about it.”

Meanwhile, Klopp believes Liverpool’s season will be unfairly judged as a failure if they do not win the Premier League.

He believes his side is being compared against  the standards being set by Manchester City, distorting perspectives of his club's best start to a league campaign.

In a team meeting in the aftermath of the poor Champions League performance in Belgrade, Klopp reaffirmed the positives of Liverpool’s season so far.

“It was more a general meeting about our situation and what we expect from ourselves,” he said. 

“The season so far, point-wise, is really successful but it doesn’t feel like that for two reasons. The comparison with last year and the free-flowing football, and Man City, Chelsea and the others who are playing a very good season as well.

“You see this week, we struggle in Belgrade and they (City) win 6-0. It’s a big gap. It feels a bit like that this season can only be a success if we become champion, in a year when our competitors are the champion of last year and the champion of two years ago. And a refreshed Arsenal and a more experienced Tottenham, and Man United turning around. That’s a really tough job.”

Liverpool have skipper Jordan Henderson and midfielder Naby Keita back for Sunday's visit of Fulham. - The Telegraph