Jurgen Klopp said on Thursday there is “no chance” of Liverpool signing Lionel Messi, but the German admits the unsettled Barcelona star would be a great addition to the Premier League.
Messi has told Barcelona he wants to leave after growing unhappy with the club’s problems on and off the pitch.
The Argentina forward has been linked with a move to Manchester City, where he could link up with his former Barca boss Pep Guardiola.
Paris Saint-Germain, Inter Milan and Juventus have also been mooted as potential destinations for Messi if he gets his wish to quit the Camp Nou.
Klopp insisted he would love to have Messi, but made it clear the 33-year-old would not end up at Anfield.
“Interest? Yeah, who doesn’t want Messi in their team. The numbers are absolutely not for us. We don’t even start thinking about it. No chance! But... good player,” Klopp told reporters.
Liverpool finished 18 points ahead of second placed City last season as they won the English title for the first time since 1990.
And Klopp conceded Liverpool’s bid to retain the Premier League crown would clearly be under threat if Messi joined City.
But the former Borussia Dortmund boss believes it would be a significant coup for English football to have one of the world’s greatest ever players in the Premier League.
“It would make it even more difficult to beat them (City) which was already very difficult,” Klopp told a news conference ahead of Saturday’s Community Shield clash with FA Cup winners Arsenal at Wembley.
“For the Premier League, it would be great having the best player in the world in the league. I’m not sure the Premier League needs a boost but it would be.
“It would be interesting too because Messi has never played in another league apart from Spain. I would like to see it but I’m not sure if I will.”
Klopp confirmed centre back Virgil van Dijk is fit to face Arsenal after recovering from a head injury sustained during Liverpool’s pre-season friendly with RB Salzburg.
Jordan Henderson is also set to play but Trent Alexander-Arnold may miss out because of injury. “Trent’s very close but we have to make a decision about him tomorrow,” Klopp said.