Jurgen Klopp on European Super League reaction - 'YNWA is Liverpool's anthem, not Gary Neville's'
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Updated 20/04/2021 at 06:56 GMT
Jurgen Klopp took issue with Gary Neville’s criticism of the European Super League and furiously reacted to some of the coverage around his team after the 1-1 draw at Leeds United in the Premier League on Monday night. He criticised former Manchester United defender Neville for playing for the club and then working for Sky Sports.
'We were not involved' - Furious Klopp reacts to Super League furore
Jurgen Klopp took issue with Gary Neville’s criticism of the European Super League and furiously reacted to some of the coverage around his team.
Klopp had seen his side draw 1-1 with Leeds United on Monday evening, a result that sees them outside the Champions League spots - something that would not be a problem with the new ESL format.
Speaking after the game to Sky Sports and then later in his press conference, Klopp complained that Leeds United had put T-shirts supporting the current format for UEFA competitions in their dressing room.
"I don't think it is right. They put them in our dressing room, I don't think we deserved that. I don't like the way a lot of people are talking about Liverpool," he said.
"This is a fantastic football club. In this specific moment we can't blame the team for that. I take the criticism for everything, but this we have nothing to do with.
"Now people write articles... People are shouting at us. We have to be careful because we are people as well. We have to be careful. I understand all the talk and I don't like it as well.
You can write whatever you want, but really don't forget we were not involved in the process. If you talk about, put, 'Damn Liverpool FC to hell', then it's the whole club and I don't know what he means with that apart from all of us. That's how I understand it.
"Don't forget we have nothing to do with it. We still have to play football. It is really not OK. Our owners are great people, they will try to explain the decisions. Will I understand it? I don't know, but it is still not my decision.
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"I really think over the last six years we had a tough year to go through, absolutely brutal, but over the last six years anyway we created a great relationship with the team and the supporters.
"I understand that they want to act, they want to show their anger, I get that. But we should not forget what I said before, the team had nothing to do with it.
"I'm not sure if I feel more or less exposed than ever, because the English system is like this, that most, pretty much there's one voice in the club, that's the manager. It's different to Germany.
"I've had enough time to get used to that, so it's not new. But there will be a moment for sure when our owners say what they have to say, definitely, I'm sure.
"I coach a football team. If people want to criticise me, completely fine. But other things, it is not OK. Everyone should not forget."
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Klopp also aimed barbs at Neville for his past with Manchester United and for currently working as an analyst for Sky.
“I wish people wouldn’t speak about us. I wish Gary Neville wouldn’t be where the most money is. He was at Man Utd where the most money is. Now he’s at Sky where the most money is,” he said, before praising FSG, who are behind the drive for the breakaway competition.
YNWA is our anthem, not Gary Neville's. The owners of this club are good people. They are reasonable people. They will try to explain the decision to me.
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