Klopp, who was appointed head of global soccer with Red Bull after leaving Liverpool last year, took in training with the MLS club ahead of Saturday’s Hudson River derby against rivals New York City FC<\/a>.<\/p>\n And the German coach said he has been impressed with the level of play in MLS.<\/p>\n – MLS spends record $336M on transfers in 2025<\/a> “I’m 100% sure, in five years time, we [will] speak completely differently,” Klopp said before he attended Saturday’s rivalry match in Harrison, New Jersey. “I’m really sure it will grow and grow and grow.<\/p>\n “The kids coming up, starting playing soccer earlier, training, getting better. Obviously, the place where you can play and train getting better. Everywhere.<\/p>\n “I can tell you, the quality is really, really good. Good players, a lot of talent, high intensity. All these things you want to see when you watch it in a stadium or in television. I think [MLS] found its spot and now let’s work with it.”<\/p>\n MLS clubs spent a record total<\/a> of close to $336 million on transfers in 2025, nearly doubling the previous record spend in a calendar year, as the league looks to close the gap to the top competitions in Europe.<\/p>\n The league’s reputation has grown since the arrival of record eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Lionel Messi<\/a> to Inter Miami<\/a> in 2023. South Korea<\/a> star Son Heung-Min<\/a> was the most high-profile arrival in 2025, joining for an MLS-record $26 million fee from Premier League<\/a> Tottenham Hotspur<\/a>.<\/p>\n
– Messi frustrated as Miami stumbles in Shield chase<\/a>
– Messi, Ramos lead tributes to retiring Busquets<\/a><\/p>\nJurgen Klopp watches New York Red Bulls training ahead of the Hudson River derby.\u00a0Courtesy of New York Red Bulls<\/p>\n