Jurgen Klopp Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp believes Liverpool should take Pep Guardiola’s accusations of favouritism in the media as a “backhanded compliment”. The Manchester City manager raised eyebrows in the wake of his side’s 5-0 hammering of Newcastle United by claiming that journalists across the country wanted the Reds to prevail in their Premier League title race. Speaking after going three clear of Klopp’s side at the Etihad on Sunday,
Pep Guardiola said: “Everyone in this country supports Liverpool, the media and everyone. Of course because Liverpool has an incredible history behind in European competition – not in Premier Leagues, because they’ve won one in 30 years – but I don’t care. They have more supporters around the world and in England more support Liverpool than us.”
Klopp refused to respond to his City counterpart and suggested it was “normal” for everyone connected to be feeling the tension of the title race as it comes down to the last three games of such a long season for both clubs.
Jurgen Klopp said: “I think we should take it as a backhanded compliment if he means it as a backhanded compliment. Imagine how the situation would not be there if we were not that close. Imagine that situation. Then the interviews would be boring like whatever. You have to make sure there is some excitement and there is an exciting battle for who stays in the league and who qualifies for the Champions League. That is completely normal. We all feel the tension, we cannot say we don’t feel it. After the Tottenham game, it is not like I thought it was great that it happened, but before you can deal with your emotions, you have already faced 20 cameras. That is what happens and that is what Pep did. I don’t take it as a backhanded compliment. Whatever I said in the last press conference, or whatever anybody said, he probably thought he had to make this point. You know much better than I do, it is not the case. It is all fine, nothing Pep said will change our situation and it’s absolutely fine.”
