As expected, Wanda Metropolitan was filled with fans ensuring Klopp and his men were frustrated at the end of the match. This is duly in part to Klopp and his men lifting their sixth Champions League triumph in that very stadium.
Diego Simeone pulled off a typical performance as Atletico defended for their lives right after capitalizing on Liverpool’s sloppiness and taking a 1-0 lead. Klopp was obviously frustrated and couldn’t hide his emotions at full time. The German manager accused Atletico players of intentionally trying to get Sadio Mane sent off hence his decision to substitute Mane at half time.
“It’s part of football, I don’t like it. The plan was to get Sadio out of the game with a yellow card” Klopp said at full-time.
“I was afraid that his opponent would go down if Sadio only took a deep breath. After 30 minutes, three Atletico players were on the ground, not even injured” the Reds boss added.
Klopp didn’t stop there, he also criticizes the style of football they played.
“They got a result, the stadium wasn’t here to see sensational football, they got the result and so they are happy. There are a lot of happy faces tonight from Atletico. It’s only 1-0, we’re not 5-0 down. We don’t think it will be easy at our ground. For all Atletico fans who can get a ticket for the game, welcome to Anfield” he said.
Klopp decided to also take a dig at Atletico’s manager, Simeone.
‘I don’t know if Diego saw the game because he was constantly animating the crowd,” Klopp said.
According to several sources in Spain, Atletico Madrid players are furious that the Reds boss accused them of play-acting. The players are said to be taken aback by his comments. Some of the players have decided to hit back and were quoted to have said;
”It is important to be gracious in defeat as well as in victory, and Klopp should focus more on his own team’s shortcomings, given that they didn’t get a shot on target in 90 minutes.”
The return leg at Anfield just got more fascinating as both clubs are ready to put their all on the pitch. The second leg will take place on March 11, at Anfield.
