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Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp says he is baffled by the decision to allow Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) to complete a takeover of Newcastle United.

The German coach claimed he “was not ready” to offer his honest opinion on the £300m deal, which has seen PIF take an 80% controlling interest in the Tyneside club. PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media hold the remaining 20%.

Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince of Saudi Arabia, is the chairman of the PIF.

Asir Al-Rumayyan is Newcastle’s new non-executive chairman and TEAMtalk understands he will fly into the county this weekend to watch the home game with Tottenham.

Amanda Staveley the director and minority stakeholder is responsible for the running of Newcastle on a day-to-day basis.

Sky Deutschland interviewed Klopp on a number of topics before the 54-year-old was asked for his view on the takeover,

 “Again, there is a lot we can say or nothing at all. I don’t want to make it my business because it’s not my business either,” said Klopp.

“There are no two opinions about the obvious concerns, about human rights in Saudi Arabia. 

“There is no question about that. But how it could then happen that this was nevertheless allowed despite many concerns, I cannot assess. That must be some other people.

“If we only talk about football, then in the long term, of course, we have to say that they are going to be a superpower. This is the third club in world football that I know of that belongs to a country and that obviously belongs to the wealthiest family on the planet.

“The possibilities that open up are of course immense. With the Super League, the whole world was justifiably upset about it. It’s basically like the Super League now – just for one club. Then Newcastle are guaranteed to play a dominant role in world football for the next 20 or 30 years.

“You can mess up a lot with money, but in the long run there are too many good people running around in football and Newcastle will find them too. Accordingly, this is how it is now. It wasn’t my choice and we are just living with the facts now.

“There is no other way to do it. But since no one has said anything so great, I’m not ready to really give my opinion now, whether I think that’s good or bad. There are concerns that everyone has, because I’m not alone and the rest was obviously decided by other people.”

The Analyst: Man United, Tottenham and Everton capable of comeback wins this weekend

Premier League will be ‘very tight’

Liverpool currently sit second in the Premier League after a solid 15-point haul from seven games.

They trail leaders Chelsea by just a point and Klopp believes the race to win the title will be just as close come the end of the season.

Klopp added: “It is very likely that it will be very tight – you really have to say that. City have certainly not got any worse than last year, the kind of football they play is brutal. W

“We’re in a good mood. Chelsea have a top team and a huge squad.

“United are United, they won’t stop investing until it works out at some point. The squad they now have together is also strong.”

READ MORE: Newcastle owners ‘clash’ over one name on five-man managerial shortlist

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