Eddie Howe has clarified comments on Newcastle United's "ceiling" after Jurgen Klopp congratulated the Magpies on their limitless outlook following last year's Saudi-backed takeover.
Newcastle have made the most of their buyout by an ownership group including Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, the richest owner in world football.
No club spent more in the January window, before Newcastle shattered their transfer record with the £59million August signing of Alexander Isak, who netted on his Premier League debut against Klopp's Liverpool.
So, when Magpies sporting director Dan Ashworth last week spoke of the club having "no ceiling" – wording that was soon echoed by head coach Howe – it irked Klopp.
"I hear now at Newcastle they said, 'there's no ceiling for this club'," the Liverpool manager said. "He's absolutely right, there's no ceiling for Newcastle. Congratulations; some other clubs have ceilings."
Howe was asked about Klopp's reaction ahead of Newcastle's next match at home to Everton and felt the perception was unfair.
"I think it's probably been used in the wrong way," Howe explained. "I think what Dan meant with his comment was that there's no ceiling to our ambition.
"Long term, the club have huge plans and huge ambitions. But at the moment, the reality of what we're working towards and working with, there is a ceiling, because of all the things I've sat here and explained every week – Financial Fair Play, we're still in a training ground that's being renovated.
"We're not living that life that's being discussed. We're living a very different reality.
"Our wage bill is very controlled, we're trying to do things in a very stable and controlled way. Although we spent money on players, it's not been extravagant or out of sync, I think, with the rest of the Premier League.
"I think everyone has to be careful with comments and opinions. That's just my belief."
Newcastle were initially linked with a host of big names in January, only to instead turn their attention to younger talents like Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman and Isak.
"It could have gone a totally different way," Howe acknowledged. Although Newcastle are sixth, he added: "We're a long, long way from where we want to be."
Asked if he had been frustrated by the response to his and Ashworth's comments, Howe replied: "I try not to spend too much time thinking about it. I'm just aware that one or two comments may not be totally accurate – that's when I have to stand up for us."
Quansah signs new long-term Liverpool deal
Jarell Quansah has signed a long-term contract at Liverpool.
The defender has been at the club since the age of five and enjoyed an impressive breakout season under Jurgen Klopp last season.
He made 33 appearances in all competitions under the German and netted his first goal for the club in the Europa League in December against Union Saint-Gilloise.
Among Liverpool players in the Premier League last campaign, he made the joint-third most blocks (eight) and won 22 of his 25 tackles in the competition.
So far under Arne Slot, he has made just two appearances, playing the first half of their top-flight opener against Ipswich Town and the EFL Cup match against West Ham.
"I couldn't be happier at this minute," the 21-year-old told Liverpool's website.
"I think the way the new manager has come in; his coaching style has definitely been a massive part of that and I think it is the best club in the world for me to develop at and become a better player.
"I think the players around me, who I'm looking to work hard off and listen to, I think they're the best in the position at the minute. So, like I said, there is probably no better place I could be."
Liverpool are also reportedly in talks with Ibrahima Konate over a new contract, while the futures of Virgil van Dijk, Mohamed Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold, who are all in the final year of their contracts, are still yet to be sorted.
Injury forces Militao out of Brazil's World Cup qualifiers
Eder Militao will miss Brazil's upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Chile and Peru due to a thigh injury.
The defender, who also missed September's fixtures due to a leg injury, first felt some discomfort against Atletico Madrid on September 29.
Though he has featured for Real Madrid since, he flew out to Sao Paulo to undergo checks on the issue, where the national team confirmed the extent of the injury.
"[Militao] underwent tests this Sunday... which revealed a minor muscle injury in his left thigh that will prevent him from playing," the CBF said in a statement.
He is the second Madrid player to pull out of the Brazil squad, with Vinicius Junior also unfit to play after suffering a neck injury.
Brazil sit fifth in South America's qualification table after eight matches, with 10 points.
Slot's trust is reason for Liverpool form, says Gravenberch
Ryan Gravenberch has impressed with his performances for Liverpool so far this season, and he says it is a result of the trust shown to him by Arne Slot.
The midfielder joined Liverpool from Bayern Munich last September and made 26 Premier League appearances under Jurgen Klopp, but only started 12 of those games.
Gravenberch has played in all but one of the Reds' games in all competitions so far this season, only missing their EFL Cup win over West Ham, and has become an integral part of Slot's set-up in the deeper-lying midfield role.
The Dutchman has won possession 42 times, more than anyone in the team, and has also won the most duels (41) and made the second-most interceptions (12), only behind Virgil van Dijk (17).
Liverpool sit top of the Premier League going into the international break, with Slot making the best start of any Liverpool manager in the club's history, and Gravenberch credited the manager for his uptick in form.
"The coach gives me confidence and sets me up," Gravenberch told ESPN. "I just do my own thing. The things I did at Ajax, I do now.
"I discuss all kinds of things with him. It's mainly about football. We talked last season as well. I have a good bond with him, and I'm very happy he's here.
"We think in the same way. He likes football and building up from the back. That suits me super well too.
"I'm at a top club now, at Liverpool. I played a lot more last season than in the season before. That was my goal. This season my goal is to play even more than last season and I'm on my way."
SportsMax is the Caribbean sports channel of choice, committed to providing sporting content of the highest quality to the Caribbean, delivered by a team of highly innovative, passionate and qualified professionals.
(876) 619-7629
digitalmedia@sportsmax.tv
