Liverpool’s Klopp bristles at criticism
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp hit back at television pundit and former Manchester United captain Roy Keane after the Irishman described the champions’ defending in a 3-1 win over Arsenal on Monday as “sloppy”.
Liverpool have won all three of their Premier League games so far this season, beating visiting Leeds United 4-3 and winning 2-0 at Chelsea, but while praising Klopp’s side Keane said they had shown the ability to win while not being perfect in defending.
“Strangely enough if you look at Liverpool, they have been sloppy against Leeds, OK, done well against Chelsea, sloppy again tonight, but they have got nine points, maximum points, so they will know they need to improve,” noted Keane.
“It looks like they are capable of winning football matches without being at their best and that is a sign of a good team.”
But Klopp pounced on Keane’s comments.
“Did I hear it right, that Mr Keane said it was a sloppy performance tonight?” asked the German coach as he began a post-match interview.
After Keane attempted to explain his remarks, Klopp continued. “I just wanted to hear it. I’m not sure I heard it right, maybe he was speaking about another game ... it cannot be this game, sorry!
“That is an incredible description of this game, that was absolutely exceptional. Nothing was sloppy, absolutely nothing,” said Klopp, to the delight of Liverpool fans on social media, who relished the strong riposte to an old rival.
“Alisson had to make one save, they had two balls in behind, you cannot avoid that. You need a goalie in these situations. Apart from that, the football we played was absolutely exceptional tonight,” said Klopp.
Arsenal had taken the lead through Alexandre Lacazette after a poor miscontrol from Andy Robertson in his own area and the French striker could have equalised in the second half when he was one-on-one against Alisson.
Keane, known as a tough tackling player and tough talking pundit, appeared a little amused by Klopp’s reaction.
“Very sensitive. Imagine if he’d lost?” he said.
Meanwhile, Liverpool’s new midfield signing Thiago Alcantara would miss their next two games, Klopp said.
The Spaniard was signed from Bayern Munich earlier this month and made his debut against Chelsea last week but was not in the squad for Monday’s 3-1 win against Arsenal at Anfield.
“After the international break he will be fine, for sure,” Klopp said after the Premier League match.
“That’s the situation in the moment.
“He is not fit enough to be involved today, but that’s it.”
Liverpool’s website reported that his absence was due to a “minor fitness issue”.
The club host Arsenal again on Thursday in the League Cup fourth round before Sunday’s Premier League trip to Aston Villa.
The next game Thiago could feature in for the Reds would be the Merseyside derby on October 17 versus Everton at Goodison Park.
It remains to be seen whether Thiago will be fit to play for his country during the international break.
Spain manager Luis Enrique is due to announce his squad for this month’s matches with Portugal, Switzerland and Ukraine.
Very sensitive. Imagine if he’d lost?