Tom Werner believes Jurgen Klopp has put Liverpool in a position where they can both attract and retain the best players in world football.
The Reds’ chairman is convinced that the club’s pulling power is stronger than ever as they prepare for Saturday’s Champions League final against Tottenham in Madrid.
Over the past decade Liverpool have been hampered by the loss of star names like Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano, Fernando Torres, Luis Suarez and Philippe Coutinho.
However, Werner insists that talent drain has now stopped with elite performers such as Mohamed Salah , Sadio Mane , Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk seeing that they can achieve all their dreams by staying at Anfield.
There will be no high-profile exits this summer with Liverpool focused on further improving their squad. Werner says any player on the planet would relish the chance to be part of what Klopp has created .
“As far as I’m concerned, there’s no reason why any elite player wouldn’t want to be playing for Liverpool,” Werner told the ECHO .
“We have such a strong squad with a strong back office and a manager who I think is one of the greatest managers in world football.
“So I don’t think there is going to be any players who if they were invited to play for Liverpool, wouldn’t jump at the opportunity.”
Werner believes that Coutinho “probably regrets” his decision to walk away from Liverpool in January 2018 after demanding a move to Barcelona.
Owners Fenway Sports Group reluctantly agreed to sanction the £142million deal after he repeatedly pushed for a transfer.
Coutinho declared that he was taking a step up but he has struggled to establish himself at the Nou Camp and Liverpool have kicked on without him to reach a second successive Champions League final.
The Brazilian attacker endured a miserable reunion with his former club when the Reds stunned Barca with an historic fightback in the second leg of the semi-final.
“I would just point to the story of Philippe Coutinho,” Werner added.
“I have only good things to say about Philippe. But I think he left Liverpool because he wanted to play for one of the two big Spanish clubs.
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“We tried to convince him that we had the club moving in the right direction and that he could experience big Champions League occasions by staying at Liverpool. I think he probably regrets his decision.”
With the squad already looking so strong, Klopp has stated that he doesn’t envisage a spending spree on the same scale as last summer’s £170million outlay.
However, Werner has vowed that funds will be available for whatever reinforcements the manager requests.
“John (W Henry), Mike (Gordon) and I will leave the transfer business to those who know it so well – Jurgen and (sporting director) Michael Edwards,” Werner said.
“If they recommend someone then we will support that recommendation. Our role at FSG is to support the manager and the people around him in the best way that we possibly can.”
Tom Werner on why Coutinho "regrets" move & summer transfer policy - Liverpool Echo
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