LIVERPOOL
Watch: Klopp loses patience with reporter for “dumb question”
After Liverpool’s tough FA Cup loss to Manchester United, a reporter asked Jurgen Klopp about his side’s lack of intensity and Klopp had zero patience for it.
Liverpool suffered a tough loss in the FA Cup when Manchester United pulled off late goals in both normal and extra time to win it 4-3 and go on to the semifinals. Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said after the game that his side had a “much more intense season so far”, but gave praise to United for a well-deserved and hard-fought win.
However, when reporter Niels Christian Frederiksen asked Klopp about Liverpool’s lack of intensity, Klopp lost all patience. Here’s how that conversation went:
Frederiksen: “Normally intensity is the name of your game, so how come it became so difficult in extra time?”
Klopp: “Bit of a dumb question, I have to say. We played I don’t know how many games recently, I don’t know how many games United exactly played. That’s sport. Really disappointed about that question, but you thought obviously it’s good.”
Frederiksen: “So too many games?”
Klopp: “Oh, ah come on, you are obviously not in a great shape, and I have no nerves for you. What is wrong with you?”
Frederiksen: “How come you’re so provocative?”
Frederiksen “doesn’t hold a grudge”
Frederiksen has since spoken about the exchange, saying he understands that Klopp was frustrated, especially “in the manner” they lost to United.
“His dream scenario was to play an FA Cup final at Wembley in his last match in England, and that’s been taken from him now. So I can understand he’s super frustrated,” said Frederiksen. “Then he got a question he didn’t think was appropriate. It’s been a theme for them that they’ve had many injuries and many matches, which he has complained about. Then he got a question about why they didn’t have intensity in the game, and then he snapped.”
“That’s fair enough,” Frederiksen went on. “I have absolutely no problem with that. There will be absolutely no problems in the future. I can’t imagine that at all. When I interview him again, we’ll still be good friends, professionally speaking. I don’t think he holds a grudge, and I certainly don’t.”