Klopp chased down by journalist and walks away from interview

Wednesday, October 20, 2021 at 11:20 am• Yanick Vos • Last update: 11:29

An irritated Jürgen Klopp interrupted an interview on Tuesday evening after Liverpool’s won Champions League match against Atlético Madrid (3-2) because he thought a journalist was trying to put words in his mouth. The German coach would have given the impression that he was angry because Atlético Madrid coach Diego Simeone did not want to shake his hand after the game.

Simeone caused controversy after the Champions League meeting by running into the tunnel immediately after the final whistle and declining a handshake from Klopp after the match. The Liverpool coach made it clear that he was not bothered by the Argentine’s action due to the emotions of the moment, but an interviewer did not let it go. When asked why he was so angry after the game, despite taking three points against a dour Atletico Madrid, Klopp replied: “Why was I angry? I’m not such an idiot that you can ask such a question here. I wasn’t angry at all,” he reacted irritated.

“If you want to make a story out of that, I can imagine. I wanted to shake his hand, he didn’t want to,” Klopp continued. “At that moment I can understand that, he had run in. He’s emotional, I’m emotional, and you’re not a nice person because you want to make a story out of that. You said I’m angry, when was I angry? Now I’m mad at your question, come on.” Refusing to put the matter to rest, the interviewer insisted his question was serious, to which Klopp replied ‘yes, yes’ and walked away.

Simeone defended his actions to the press, insisting it was nothing personal. “I never shake hands after a game because I don’t like it,” he confessed. “It is not healthy for the one who wins or for the one who loses. That’s the way I see it. But if I see him now, I will shake his hand without a problem.” Klopp largely agreed with his colleague, stating: “The next time we see each other we will definitely shake hands. It is nothing. He was clearly angry, not at me but at the game. You don’t have to look for anything.”