Klopp irritated by Conte’s approach after Spurs hold Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp was not impressed with Antonio Conte’s tactics after Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Tottenham at Anfield on Saturday. The Reds struggled to break down a side openly looking to frustrate and exploit them as they dropped two points in the Premier League title race.

Following Son Heung-min’s opening goal, Liverpool needed some fortune to equalise in the 74th minute, with Luis Díaz’s effort from outside the box taking a slight deflection off Rodrigo Bentancur and wrong-footing Hugo Lloris. The Reds moved top on goal difference, but Manchester City can regain leadership and go three points clear by beating Newcastle United on Sunday.

Cynical Spurs, not for me, says Klopp

Klopp was critical of Spurs’ approach at Anfield. “I’m sorry I’m the wrong person for that, I don’t like this kind of football,” he said. “But that’s my personal problem. I think they’re world class, and I think they should do more for the game. I think the game against Liverpool they had 36, 38 per cent possession, but it’s my problem. I cannot coach it. So that’s why I cannot do it. So yes, world-class players block all the balls, really difficult. Fine, whatever, fine, absolutely fine. I just can’t. I respect everything they do, but it’s not me.”

With 67 per cent possession in the second half, the Reds generated a cumulative total of 0.17 xG from 11 shots, in comparison to Spurs’ 0.69 from five shots. Klopp took the positives out of what could be a costly result for the Reds four days after they reached the Champions League final with a win over Villarreal. “It is an important point because it’s one point more than before the game,” he said. “We’re top of the table. In this moment we’re disappointed - the boys are more disappointed than I am, it might be because I’m older and I’ve seen more. Some good things tonight though, the counter-press. Just little moments, better decision-making. It’s easy for me to say because I didn’t run, like, I didn’t run four days ago. We could have won, but also they could have won because of their insane counter-attacking.”