“Not necessary”- Klopp opens up on potential talking point post-Atletico Madrid clash

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has no problem avoiding post-game handshake with Diego Simeone

According to The Express, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he has no problems if Diego Simeone avoids the post-match handshake after the match against Atletico Madrid at Anfield.

Things got heated in the clash between the two sides at the Wanda Metropolitano in October. Klopp’s men got the better of 10-man Atletico in a thrilling game that saw Simeone sprint down the tunnel without bothering about the post-game handshake.

Simeone has since opened up on the topic and admits it is not a ritual that he subscribes to. We are pretty sure he would have felt otherwise had Atletico come out trumps.

Klopp doesn’t appear to be aware of Simeone’s preferences and he was left hanging after the conclusion of the first group game. He sarcastically waved as Diego Simeone stormed past the tunnel in an attempt to avoid the post-game handshake. 

In today’s press conference, Jurgen Klopp accepted that he should have avoided the sarcastic gesture aimed at the Atletico manager. But then as Simeone himself said, it is a moment of mixed emotions.

“If I would have known he doesn’t do it, then I wouldn’t have even tried it. I tried, and then I was waving or whatever, that was not necessary from me.”

Going on to the next fixture, the Reds’ manager said that now that he knows why Simeone avoids such gestures, he would respect the choice of his counterpart. 

“Now I know he doesn’t want to do it after the game, so no problem.”

Not that any Liverpool fan will care as long as the team wins all three points on the night. Whether Simeone wants to shake the hand or not, it does not appear to be getting under Klopp’s skin.

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Liverpool and Atletico have met each other numerous times in the recent past in heated games. Little else can be expected on the menu at Anfield on Wednesday.