A year ago, Klopp had completed his signings by July 20, bringing in Sadio Mane, Joel Matip, Georginio Wijnaldum, Ragnar Klavan, Loris Karius and Alex Manninger.

This year, however, he is not so confident he will get what he wants done in sufficient time, despite previously saying plans were in place.

"I wish tomorrow [to have signings completed] but unfortunately that's not really likely,'' he told his postmatch news conference after a 3-0 friendly win over Sydney FC in Australia.

"The best scenario is that you have them for the start of preseason but I'm not sure if it will happen this time.

"It's different with all players so we will see. That's not a big problem because we all know if they are fit and healthy we have a really strong squad and that means we could start with this squad.

"But that doesn't mean that I would prefer this -- I would love to have them in as soon as possible."

Liverpool's postseason friendly in Sydney kicked off just 11 hours after the team touched down in Australia.

Former players Steven Gerrard and Jamie Carragher, retired but in the squad for the showpiece game against the A-League champions, were named in the starting line-up alongside 17-year-old forward Ben Woodburn.

But it was striker Daniel Sturridge who opened the scoring in the eighth minute and set up the third for Roberto Firmino, whose through-ball had allowed Alberto Moreno to score the second.