Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp explains Lionel Messi transfer stance ahead of Arsenal clash

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has opened up on Barcelona star Lionel Messi ahead of his side's Community Shield showdown with Arsenal on Sunday.

Posted Saturday, August 29, 2020 by Express.co.uk

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has ruled out signing Barcelona star Lionel Messi. The Argentina international is keen to leave the Nou Camp behind after nearly two decades at the club. But, speaking ahead of his side's Community Shield clash with Arsenal, Klopp has ruled out a move for the 33-year-old.

Messi wants to leave Barcelona behind this transfer window having grown fed up of their failings on and off the pitch.

Away from the field of play the Catalan giants have got recruitment all wrong, with the likes of Antoine Griezmann, Philippe Coutinho and Ousmane Dembele all struggling.

And, on the pitch, Barcelona have fallen way behind their European rivals with the club recently exiting the Champions League after a 8-2 defeat to Bayern Munich in Portugal.

Manchester City, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan are all considered frontrunners in the race to sign the forward.

But Klopp has now insisted Liverpool won’t be going after the 33-year-old this summer.

Liverpool won't be signing Lionel Messi from Barcelona this transfer window

"Interest? Yeah, who doesn't want Messi in their team?!” he said.

“But no chance. The numbers are absolutely not for us. But....good player!"

Messi’s next move looks likely to be City at the current moment in time, with the Argentina previously playing under Pep Guardiola at Barcelona.

The pair won three La Liga titles in four years together, as well as the Champions League in 2009 and 2011 - with Manchester United beaten in the final on both occasions.

PSG are also in the picture, though, with sporting director Leonardo reportedly holding talks with Messi’s father about a potential move to the Parc des Princes.

And Inter Milan have the financial muscle to afford a deal, too.

Meanwhile, reporter Marcelo Bechler has claimed Barcelona are ‘pessimistic’ about their chances of keeping Messi this summer.

He told Bleacher Report: "At the beginning of the season he said what was important was not a big contract or money, but a strong project.

“And with no titles and that loss to Bayern, he still has three or four years left to play and he knows he can help Barca — but they can not help him.

"Messi has always thought him and Barca were 'just one thing,' but now he is thinking maybe he can be another thing without Barcelona.

“He can make another step and try to win without Barcelona.

"He is angry with the board and disappointed with the club and wants to leave now. Barca are pessimistic because they can't offer a solid project and can't do much to help him.

"It is very likely he leaves Barcelona if there is another project, I don't know where or which club.

“It is impossible in this economy to pay €700 million, but I think Barca don't want him here unhappy. After all that Messi gave to them, they don't want him here as a prisoner."