BOSS: WRONG GOING PUBLIC ON CONTEBALL
JURGEN KLOPP has admitted he was WRONG to publicly criticise Antonio Conte’s brand of football.
But the Liverpool manager doubled down by reiterating he still believes what he said was right… it was just that he should not have uttered it out loud!
Klopp had suggested Tottenham’s game plan at Anfield was negative, pointing out they used world class players like Harry Kane “to block balls.” Klopp also said after Saturday’s 1-1 draw he could not coach such tactics.
When asked if he would contact Conte now to apologise, he replied: “No. It is what I think. It is just not what I should say because that is not appropriate.
“We didn’t lose but I felt in a moment like losing, it is all fine you say what you have to say, then all of a sudden, one guy says how great how Tottenham defended and it was like the moment it clicked - no.
“I mean it like I say I couldn’t coach it, so that is a compliment. A backhanded compliment. I couldn’t. What they do is incredible.
“It is not necessary to say these kinds of things, but it was out before I start thinking again.” Klopp has always made clear that his own footballing philosophy demands a positive, attractive style of football, and he hinted at that when he added about Spurs: “[They make it] so difficult for the opponent which is one part of the job. I said – and would I say it again? No – but I said after the game ‘They play like they play and are still only fifth’.
“It felt good at that moment but it was wrong. It was just my feeling in the moment, and I could not respect Antonio more and what he is doing and how he organises teams.”