LIVERPOOL boss Jurgen Klopp has got into a pitch battle with BOTH Manchester clubs.
Klopp is angry that Pep Guardiola’s City will train at Goodison this morning ahead of tonight’s massive quarter-final Champions League clash.
In contrast his players have been denied a training base on the day of the second leg.
He said: “We would have liked to train at Manchester next week ahead of the game. But no Manchester club could give us a training pitch for the next morning.
“Man City get to train at Goodison tomorrow morning.”
City also trained at Anfield late yesterday afternoon as allowed by Uefa rules 24 hours before a game.
Klopp wanted his team to be able to work out on the day of their return leg in Manchester on Tuesday.
But United have not been as accommodating as the Reds’ Mersey rivals Everton.
Klopp was then asked why Guardiola decided to hold a session at Anfield when he had opted to train at home before previous European games this season.
He responded: “That’s a question for Pep, not for me, I have no clue. Ask Pep then call me!”
MOST READ IN FOOTBALL
Liverpool have until the end of the week to inform Uefa whether they will train at the Etihad next Monday.
Meanwhile, Klopp insists he is not interested about City’s title–clinching bid against United on Saturday.
He is more interested in making sure he takes a step towards another top-four finish in the Merseyside derby.
He added: “There’s a big difference. City are definitely champions.
“It’s our duty to fight for second still so it’s completely different.
“I’ve no clue how big Manchester United versus Manchester City is and I don’t care, to be honest.
“Liverpool versus Everton is the big one for us.”
The Kop defence has been hit by injuries with Joel Matip, Ragnar Klavan and Joe Gomez all out.
But Andy Robertson belted out a warning to City and the Scot got his message over loud and clear — even if Klopp joked about his accent.
STAND UP Jurgen Klopp calls on Liverpool to show ‘balls’ to beat Man City in the Champions League
His German boss quipped: “Kenny Dalglish will be the translator.”
Yet even someone like Anfield legend King Kenny — who loved a mind game — would have been impressed as left-back Robertson put the strain on City.
He said: “We’ll be attacking a lot and push them back into places they don’t want to go. We deserve to be here. They are the team that is going to be under pressure.”
Leave a comment