Klopp Explains His Response to a Discontent Fan During Match

Eagle-eyed fans noticed that Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp engaged in an exchange of words with an angry fan during the first half of Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Chelsea on Tuesday.

The boss addressed the situation, saying that it came about as a result of anger over a Liverpool back pass.

“One back pass. If we don't play possession football tonight then it's ping pong,” he explained.

“We played high pressure so Chelsea does it smart, played a few long balls. If we do the same we all have a stiff neck after the game.

“That means we played football, and sometimes you play a back pass. I then hear in this moment, 'Nahh, nahhh, nahhh.' In the last game we actually turned the wrong moment and played a pass in this direction. So I say, ‘Keep your nerves, please.’”

“I have no problem with emotion – perhaps more than I should have. But in this moment, what do you want? It was just one (fan) by the way, I had eye contact with, blue jacket – maybe that explains a lot!

“It's not important what I think, but I just want to say please. We can be really strong and still sometimes play a back pass.”

The high emotions from fans could be a result of Liverpool’s string of poor performances as of late. The team has failed to beat even Championship sides and have found themselves out of both domestic cup competitions and in a desperate bid for a top four spot.

Disparaging Klopp and his team is not something that will sit well with the manager, however, and has frequent interactions with fans mid-game. Usually it’s angry gesticulating for them to more vociferously cheer on their team, but it appears that his passion will also lead to a more personal exchange if the situation calls for it.