Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is taking legal action against Manchester City\u2019s owners after being accused of xenophobia in the ascerbic aftermath of his side\u2019s 1-0 win over the champions at Anfield.<\/p>\n
Klopp\u2019s comments last Friday about the spending power of the champions compared with rival clubs rankled the Etihad club owners but said yesterday his comments were \u201cmisunderstood\u201d.<\/p>\n
It was a high-octane encounter on Sunday that saw Klopp flashed a red card for aggressively berating an assistant referee and yesterday the FA charged him with misconduct. City manager Pep Guardiola had also claimed coins were thrown at him by home fans and Merseyside Police are investigating claims that City\u2019s team bus was damaged.<\/p>\n
When asked to address reports alleging City sources had suggested his pre-match remarks amounted to xenophobia, Klopp said: \u201cI don\u2019t feel it at all. I know myself. And you cannot hit with something which is miles away from my personality. If I was \u2013 I cannot remember the word, wow! \u2013 like this I would hate it.<\/p>\n
\u201cI would hate myself for being like this. I have said a lot of times things that were a little bit open for misunderstanding. I know that. It was not intentional, just sometimes you say things and you think, \u2018Oh my God! It can be interpreted like this?\u2019 But this is not one of these moments. Absolutely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Klopp\u2019s remarks had apparently rankled City and Newcastle United by suggesting they – alongside Paris St-Germain – are among the three clubs who \u201ccan do what they want financially\u201d. As a result, yesterday morning, Newcastle manager Eddie Howe followed City by taking exception to the Liverpool manager\u2019s comments.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re not living that life that is being discussed,\u201d declared Howe. \u201cWe are living a very different reality. Our wage bill is very controlled.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re trying to do things in a very stable and controlled way. Although we have spent money on players, it has not been extravagant or out of sync with the rest of the Premier League. Everyone has to be careful with their comments and opinions. I don\u2019t know (if it was a backhanded compliment from a rival manager) I try not to think too much about it.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I\u2019m just aware that one or two comments might not have been totally accurate and that\u2019s when I have to stand up for my football club.\u201d<\/p>\n
Klopp has opted to stand by his remarks, saying he was merely making an observation about the three clubs\u2019 unlimited resources compared to their rivals as opposed to criticising the trio. Interestingly, he had in the same press conference last Friday described Pep Guardiola as the best manager, City as the best team, and Erling Haaland as the best striker in the world.<\/p>\n
\u201cThose (comments) didn\u2019t arrive, obviously,\u201d said Klopp yesterday. \u201cThat is the life of people who speak in public. It\u2019s not the first time that I\u2019m misunderstood. I know what I thought when I said it. If someone misunderstands or wants to misunderstand, I cannot change that. I know I have to be careful and I know I\u2019m not always careful. From time to time I just answer and say what I think.\u201d<\/p>\n
The off-field controversies had unfortunately overshadowed a brilliant match, in the aftermath of which Liverpool released two statements condemning the supporter who threw a coin at Guardiola besides also criticising the away fans\u2019 chants about the Hillsborough and Heysel disasters.<\/p>\n
Relations between the clubs have been soured further over the last 72 hours given the claims and counter-claims. But Klopp does not feel there is a need to smoothen relationships before their next meeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cI am not sure we have to be best friends with other clubs,\u201d said Klopp. \u201cI don\u2019t think anybody wants to be best friends with us. It is a completely normal competition.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt started here (in Friday\u2019s press conference) with a question and I answered it and all the rest was made of it. I know what I thought when I said it and I thought I put it in perspective and said how much I respect what they (City) are doing.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, it was still not right for some. As a club and a team with our supporters we showed an incredible performance. And then if something happens and one fan throws a coin it is a massive mistake and it will get punished, definitely.\u201d<\/p>\n
Klopp however did make the concession he was out of line with his touchline behavior during Sunday\u2019s game, his outburst at assistant referee Gary Beswick leading to the red card. The coach has until Friday to respond to the FA charge.<\/p>\n
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