Liverpool’s manager, Jurgen Klopp has refuted claims that his remarks regarding Middle Eastern owned clubs were xenophobic or that it would increase hate between them and Manchester City. He further claimed that if he were to be such a person, he would “hate” himself.
Klopp was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association for the red card given at Anfield. It’s conflicting news as Liverpool won the match 1-0 against Manchester City, but prior to that he made certain questionable remarks as he said that Liverpool could not compete with three clubs that could “do what they want” financially.
According to the Guardian, Klopp stated, “I don’t feel, in this specific case, I don’t feel it at all,” He then added, “I know myself. And you cannot hit me with something which is miles away from my personality. If I was – I cannot remember the word [xenophobic] – like this I would hate it. I 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 intentionally; just sometimes you say things and you think: ‘Oh my God, it can be interpreted like this!’ But this is not one of these moments.”
Klopp then said that Pep Guardiola and Erling Haaland are the best manager and striker respectively. However, he said that rival football clubs don’t have to be best friends with each other, especially when they’re competing with one another. Unfortunately Liverpool’s relationship with Man City has been quite damaged.
Social Media comments on Jurgen Klopp’s “xenophobia”
It’s shocking that he is even asked that question,I feel ashamed that good, compassionate, decent, all embracing people like Jurgen r subjected 2 such nonsense. A country that voted Brexit, Boris leaving its vulnerable ppl 2 rely on food banks, how can they look him in the eye!
— AMC Angel (@AMCAngel2) October 18, 2022
Many believed the comments calling Klopp xenophobic is just ridiculous. Netizens are saying that there are more prominent people that have said and done worse things compared to Klopp. For example, Brexit which was mainly due to the English people not wanting to work with other Europeans, and along with Boris Johnson’s remarks to the public.
Some are even admitting that “they” assuming the media and the football association want Klopp to leave the football scene by affecting his mental health. Others are accusing Pep Guardiola of being racist.
Comments against Klopp mainly stated that clubs like Chelsea and Manchester United are not mentioned by him. They further claim that it is ironic that he is talking about clubs with Middle Eastern money but not American money. Which to some are considered as the same thing.
Klopp taking legal action against xenophobic accusation
🚨 NEW: Jurgen Klopp is taking legal action after being accused in media outlets of xenophobia against Manchester City’s owners in the toxic aftermath of his side’s 1-0 win over the champions at Anfield. #lfc [chris bascombe – telegraph]
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) October 18, 2022
It is reported today that he will proceed to take this matter seriously and would want to clear his name. Liverpool fans openly admit that Manchester United are their real rivals, not Manchester City. The fans claimed that City is trying to make a big deal out of this to incite more rivalry.
Others accused Manchester City owners of probably paying for expensive lawyers with no expense spared, along with funding their way to win. There are others claiming that City is just a small club and fans should not bat two eyelids towards them.
More stories regarding Jurgen Klopp can be found here.