Jurgen Klopp is adamant Liverpool will not be held to ransom over their potential summer transfer targets - and has no qualms instead pursuing alternative names.
But the Reds boss is confident he will be able to recruit the players he wants as the recruitment team ramp up their efforts ahead of what is likely to be a busy close-season period.
Liverpool are in the market for at least two new midfielders as Klopp looks to overhaul his engine room after a campaign in which his side have underwhelmed to leave only an outside chance of Champions League qualification with four Premier League games remaining.
READ MORE: Liverpool could lose 14 players this summer as transfer strategy takes shape
James Milner will leave on a free transfer at the end of the season with fellow midfielders Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Naby Keita also out of contract and on-loan Arthur Melo returning to parent club Juventus. Striker Roberto Firmino has already confirmed he will depart in the summer while goalkeeper Adrian is also likely to follow suit.
Liverpool demonstrated when walking away from long-term target Jude Bellingham - valued at around £130million by Borussia Dortmund - they will not pursue signings at any cost, with sights now trained elsewhere.
The Reds retain interest in Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount while Brighton's Alexis Mac Allister has emerged as a priority, although the situation could be complicated by a number of clubs - including Manchester United - also courting the Argentina World Cup winner.
But Klopp - whose side entertain Brentford on Saturday evening - has indicated Liverpool won't be dissuaded from their stance of not overspending on players as they work within the financial limitations laid down by owners Fenway Sports Group.
Asked about clubs putting an extra premium on targets due to the Reds being interested, Klopp said: "We cannot buy the player, then. If they are overpriced we cannot do it.
"We will bring in players, I am pretty sure we will bring in the players we want and those who will help us. I am pretty confident of that. You never know 100% until they are signed, but that is not new that some clubs might try that (put a premium on the asking price).
"Let me say it like this: you identify a position and you have not only one option in the position. That means they should all be good, to be honest really good, you might have a favourite but if the other club doesn’t want to sell or someone else will pay the price that we cannot go with it, but usually we got the players we wanted.
"The one thing is can we afford them and then they are here. I don’t think too much about that, to be honest."
Klopp is eager to conclude the majority of Liverpool's summer transfer business early to ensure the majority of his new-look squad is together for the start of pre-season in early July. Ryan Gravenberch of Bayern Munich and Chelsea's Conor Gallagher are two more midfielders to have acquired interest from the Reds.
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