Jason McAteer believes the combined appeal of Jurgen Klopp and Champions League football would make Liverpool a desirable location for elite footballers this summer.
With qualification through the Premier League extremely unlikely though, Klopp's side will need to win the Europa League to achieve that, starting with tonight's semi-final first leg away to Villarreal (8.05pm).
"The type of player he brings in will all depend on where they finish this season," the former Liverpool and Republic of Ireland told RTÉ Sport.
"If they win the Europa League they get Champions League football and that opens the doorway to a different market of players.
"I think he'll be given the funds to spend heavily. There are areas to strengthen and it'll be a busy transfer window in the summer. He'll be in the market for a striker and a centre-half, maybe a keeper and a left-back.
"He didn't delve into the market heavily in the winter transfer window, it's a precarious one and he kept his money in his pocket."
McAteer is confident that Klopp's personality and record would draw in the big guns Liverpool have struggled to attract recently - they've only qualified for the Champions League once in the last six seasons - but thinks that stars aren't necessarily what the German is after.
"He's an entertainer. He's flamboyant and has got bags of charisma. That plays its part but I think his quality will be what attracts players to sign for him," said McAteer.
"He'll have a great relationship with the top players, having been at Dortmund and the success he brought there. For the top top players it's about winning things, not the finance.
"The combination of Jurgen Klopp and Champions League football next season, if they get it, I think you'll see a lot of top players wanting to come to the club.
"But it'll be someone that adds to the team and has something that he needs rather than just a big name that's going to come in and be his own man.
"You've got to add to what he's got going there and that's not necessarily a big-name striker or midfielder but someone can enhance the team.
"But that's all dependent on Champions League football."
As for this season's model, McAteer is encouraged by what's he seen despite some uneven results.
"They're moving in the right direction. They had a little lull about six or seven weeks after him coming in but I'd put that down to players adjusting to training methods and philosophies being different.
"We're showing our true qualities. Jurgen's philosophy is taking shape and they're well organised and a lot fitter.
"Liverpool, along with Tottenham and Leicester, are playing the best football in the Premier League at the moment and I'm quietly confident going into the game against Villareal."
Jason McAteer was speaking on behalf of SSE Airtricity's #PowerOfGreen summer football campaign
