Jurgen Klopp is no stranger to belittling journalist’s questions and he was up to antics again on after Manchester United knocked Liverpool out of the FA Cup.
Jurgen Klopp’s interview rows
Jurgen Klopp is no stranger to contentious refereeing decisions making the blood boil.
For all his light-hearted quips and nice-natured interactions with the media, Klopp has shown there is a deep-rooted competitive streak that can rise to the surface.
Take the Merseyside derby from December 2017 for example, which ended in Klopp coming to blows with a journalist from Sky Sports.
Liverpool were leading 1-0 when Dejan Lovren was penalised for a shove in the back of Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Wayne Rooney then converted from the spot, forcing a share of the spoils. Klopp clearly felt strongly that there shouldn’t have been a penalty and neutrals were treated to a fascinating outburst, as you can see in the video below.
Another topic that Klopp doesn’t care for is the 12:30pm kick-offs. The German manager has made it very clear in the past what he thinks about them – take this video from Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Brighton.
There is no denying the Reds have been adversely affected by scheduling – far more so than any other side – but rival fans have labelled the German as “shameless” and a “serial moaner” amongst some other choice words that we can’t mention on here.
Does Jurgen Klopp Moan Too Much?
It is hard to escape the fact Klopp is one of the most likeable characters in world football. Off the field, he has been known to share beers with Liverpool fans, invite those less fortunate to meet the team, and most of all, he has delivered silverware back to the city that went trophy-less for so long.
However, he also attracts his fair share of critics due to his behaviour when things aren’t quite going his way.
The most recent example of this came in Liverpool’s 4-3 defeat at Manchester United, which cut short all hopes of a fairytale quadruple in what is Klopp’s final year.
Granted, the bombardment of questions must be the last thing a manger wants to endure after an agonising defeat, but a peevish Klopp made a reference to a journalist’s weight in an eyebrow-raising exchange.
Klopp crossed the line for many on social media, and the interviewer – Danish commentator Niels Christian Frederiksen – said Klopp continued his expletive fury as he barrelled into the Old Trafford dressing room.
Klopp just called the reporter fat😭 pic.twitter.com/o664LszurG
— ArsenalComps (@ArsenaIComps) March 17, 2024
Since then, the situation has corrected itself with the journalist explaining Klopp’s comments. He said: “No that was not at all what he meant. I’m not overweight & if I were, he would never say that. That’s not how he is. It wasn’t meant like that. He’s not mean. He meant that I was unfit to ask questions.”
This isn’t the first time that Klopp’s comments have gotten him in trouble. Last season he was given a two-match ban for an altercation with Paul Tierney and John Brooks during Liverpool’s 4-3 win against Tottenham.
Will his interview tantrums affect his legacy at Liverpool?
No. Liverpool fans love him for the trophies that he wins for the club and the relationship that he has with the players. No amount of rows with journalists and referees would change that.
It’s Klopp’s final season at the club and he’ll still be hoping to celebrate that with a Premier League title win in front of Anfield.
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