Jurgen Klopp: Liverpool manager says his Man City comments were not xenophobic

2 years ago 57

Jurgen Klopp

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says helium would "hate it" if his comments astir Manchester City's spending powerfulness were seen arsenic xenophobic.

Speaking earlier Sunday's 1-0 triumph implicit City, Klopp had said the Premier League champions - owned by Sheikh Mansour - could "do what they privation financially".

Senior figures astatine City were privately unhappy with those comments.

But erstwhile asked if they were "borderline xenophobic", Klopp replied: "In this circumstantial case, I don't consciousness it astatine all."

He added: "I cognize myself. And you cannot deed with thing which is miles distant from my personality.

"If I was - I cannot retrieve the connection - similar this I would hatred it. I would hatred myself for being similar this."

Klopp had said City were 1 of 3 clubs - including Qatari-owned Paris St-Germain and the Saudi-backed Newcastle United - with unmatched spending power.

And the feeling among the City hierarchy was that those comments helped to inflame tensions astatine Sunday's game, wherever City brag Pep Guardiola said coins were thrown astatine him, portion visiting fans sang "vile" chants, aboriginal condemned by the Anfield club.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe had earlier said people should "be cautious with comments and opinions" erstwhile responding to Klopp's comments.

But Klopp says helium has been misunderstood.

"I person said a batch of times things that were a small spot unfastened for misunderstanding. I cognize that," Klopp added.

"It was not intentional, conscionable sometimes you accidental things and you deliberation 'Oh my God! It tin beryllium interpreted similar this!' but this is not 1 of these moments. Absolutely.

"It started with a question (about however to vie with City) and I answered it and each the remainder was made of it," helium said.

"I cognize what I thought and enactment it successful position and said however overmuch I respect what they are doing and it was inactive not close for some."

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