EVERTON 0 LIVERPOOL 0 GRIM AND
My manners are second to Nun, Neil! Nothing-nothing doing as Klopp keeps so much in reserve for showdown with City
WOLVES boss Nuno Espirito Santo has angrily hit back at Neil Warnock’s claims that the Portuguese lacks respect for other managers.
Warnock accused Nuno of ignoring British football “etiquette” as he appeared to snub the traditional post-match handshake at Cardiff on Friday night.
Bluebirds chief Warnock was fuming after his side missed two stoppage-time penalties and told to the former Porto boss to “f*** off” amid wild celebrations following the Championship leaders’ 1-0 win.
But Nuno reckons he knows plenty about managerial airs and graces, having worked in the Champions League – unlike Warnock.
And he won’t be taking any lessons about respect from a boss renowned for crimsonfaced confrontations.
“It was nothing to do with football etiquette or manners,” insisted Nuno, who last week said sorry to Middlesbrough boss Tony Pulis for more excessive celebrations.
“I have been involved in football for many, many years. One of the officials told me that in Britain, there is this habit of shaking hands. I understand and I’m sorry. I will try to avoid this situation.
Proud
“But nobody can doubt my football education. Nobody can doubt about me being respectful.
“Last season I was coaching in the Champions League – the Champions League – and now I’m very proud to be coaching in the Championship.
“I said publicly, if Neil Warnock wants to attend me in my office, I will say these exact words – I am sorry, Neil. I am sorry, Tony Pulis. I came to Britain and I will try to adapt. But don’t, ever, ever say that I’m not a respectful person.”
Warnock’s refusal to accept any apologies has angered Nuno and their feud is likely to continue in the Premier League with both clubs on course for automatic promotion, despite Cardiff’s first defeat in 14 matches.
Nuno added: “I have been in football for many, many years and seen almost everything. But I don’t recall this situation.
“I am sorry. I hope Neil understands and that is what I tried to tell him.
“But it is very difficult to control your emotions when you get two penalties in the final minutes.” TIMING is everything in football.
And Jurgen Klopp’s beautiful pearly-whites would have clenched in frustration when he saw the scheduling of this derby.
The last thing the German needed was a trip across Stanley Park sandwiched between two white- hot Champions League quarterfinal ties.
This derby should not be the filler. It should be the main course. But the Reds boss decided it couldn’t be.
So, was this point a case of opportunity gained or opportunity lost?
Judging by what lay before them in royal blue, it was undoubtedly the latter.
Klopp saw fit to make five changes – Mo Salah was touch and go – but the rest were taken with one eye on what will be an evening of the rawest emotion at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
Anger
But even with those switches i n personnel, Liverpool will be looking back with a degree of anger.
Toffees manager Sam Allardyce talked up the point after the final whistle, claiming the clearest chances fell to his side in the dying embers of a game that never truly threatened to catch fire.
While that point of view carried merit, it conveniently overlooked the opening hour, in which Everton were taught a lesson in every aspect of the game – except stickability.
Liverpool enjoyed the greater possession, posed the greater threat, played with greater urgency, looked more cohesive and generally looked much the better team.
Those words would hurt any Evertonian on any given Sunday. But today they should be looking at the bigger picture: this wasn’t their despised rivals’ best XI.
Not by a long way. And still they were miles off claiming the spoils or the fabled