Antonio Conte has told Daniel Levy that Tottenham must spend ‘a lot of money’ if they are to follow the successful model at Liverpool and begin to challenge regularly for trophies – and also revealed he has a ‘very big’ shopping list.

Conte, who was hired in November in the hope of inspiring Spurs on to a top-four finish, has refused to confirm whether he will still be at the club next season – and a key factor behind his decision is likely to be whether he is backed or not.

In his press conference today, the Italian pointed to Jurgen Klopp’s ability to transform his side into powerhouses after being handed a war chest to splash over a number of years, and insisted that money is the only way to guarantee success.

Since taking charge, Klopp has led the Reds to the brink of an unprecedented quadruple this season, with an array of superstar signings such as Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Alisson Becker helping them to challenge Manchester City.

Conte’s outfit next face Liverpool tomorrow night, and he has said he would relish being backed in a similar way in north London.

Questioned over if there are comparisons between the Merseyside giants when Klopp was hired in 2015 and present-day Spurs, Conte said: ‘I don’t know but if I was sure that type of situation could happen [here], I’d sign [a new contract]!’

‘But the time for Liverpool was easier than now,’ he added.

‘When Liverpool started this work with Jurgen, they were a top team but not in a way they are now – consolidated with an important manager, always the same team, big investment, big money spent in the transfer market.

‘They had the right space to improve and reach this level. Now, in my opinion, it is more difficult because the space [for improvement] is not so big.

‘To reduce this gap, you need to spend a lot of money because you need to buy important players. You have to know this otherwise you cannot reduce this gap and hope always for a miracle.’

Conte has not been afraid to openly share his belief that Spurs’ squad needs plenty of work before it can push for silverware again, and it is anticipated that the club’s hierarchy will spend heavily this summer in order to back their coach.

A shortlist has not yet been handed over to Levy and Fabio Paratici, however.

‘We’re totally focused on this season,’ Conte said.

‘Also, because I repeat, we’re finishing this season with only 15 players and at the moment it’s not convenient to give them a list, because the list it would be very, very, very big! You understand? It’s not a good moment to give them the list.’

Keeping his focus on Liverpool, Conte said the project at Anfield is the one to follow.

‘First of all, I think it depends on the desire of the club,’ he said.

‘I think Liverpool put Jurgen in charge seven years ago, they wanted to build something important and to bring Liverpool again to fight for (the) Champions League, to win titles and to continue the important story of Liverpool.

‘I think maybe he signed a contract for three years and then extended. For sure, if you want to create something important you need time, you need patience – especially if you start to work with a team that start behind the top positions.

‘It is not easy. You need time. I think in these seven months, we did a really good job with the club and the opportunity we had also in January to sign two good players for us, to help us, to improve the quality of the team.

‘I think we did a good job but, for sure, you need time. Liverpool is a clear example. I don’t want to tell something wrong but maybe they struggle, no? They struggle at the start of Klopp’s path with Liverpool, also to qualify for the Champions League.

‘Maybe they needed four years before they started to win.

‘It is not simple because you have a master in front of you, you need time, you need a big investment because you have to spend a lot of money if you want to be competitive and try to reduce this gap, otherwise you have to accept to stay in the middle and finish.’