Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp believes Gary Neville must apologise for making aggressive comments
According to LiverpoolEcho, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp didn’t take the aggressive comments made by Gary Neville lightly ahead of the crunch derby clash against Everton.
In an earlier interview, even though the Liverpool manager showed his excitement for the derby clash, he also suggested that only controlled aggression following all sporting rules should be entertained in such matches.
Man United were thrashed 4-0 by Liverpool earlier in the week. Second-half substitute Hannibal Mejbri displayed harsh physicality and risked being sent off. Strangely enough, this spell of thuggery and inability to compete was lauded as being aggressive.
After the game, Red Devils legend turned Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville lauded the youngster’s aggression and physical display first. But he later apologised for taking such an approach.
In his latest press conference, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp responded to Gary Neville’s actions and suggested illegal aggression should not be glorified.
“He had to apologise for that, rightly so. I understand where he is coming from. Obviously, you want to see some aggression, but there is a difference between aggression and kicking players. It makes no sense.”
The German manager suggested the true meaning of aggression and intensity. However, he showcased sympathy for the United youngster as he thinks the game was intense when he came on the ground, and in the heat of the moment, the youngster made some mistakes.
“Aggression in football means you are ready to hurt yourself, not the other one. I don’t blame the kid (Mejbri), he came on, and the game was a bit quick, and he was a bit late here and there. It’s all good.”
Why aggressive games are bad for Liverpool?
Liverpool are set to face Everton at Anfield today. The games between these two sides have reached a boiling point several times in the past. With more than local pride at stake this time around, neither side will want to back down.
Jordan Pickford’s extremely dangerous tackle that injured Virgil van Dijk last season is still fresh in the minds of Liverpool fans everywhere. Toffees star Richarlison was sent off following a tackle on Thiago that kept him sidelined for three months. These injuries heavily affected the Reds’ ambitions in the 2020/21 season.
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This season, Liverpool has the opportunity to complete the quadruple. Even though the accolade looks achievable with the current Reds squad, it would be challenging if 2-3 leading players get injured in the derby.
Considering all the reasons, it is understandable why Klopp took such a stance against Gary Neville in the recent interview. There should be no room for thuggery in football and the only glorification should be of stars who can play the game fairly.
