Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has responded harshly to a question based on comments from former Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann. It’s been a slow start to the season for Liverpool, who have already given themselves a mountain to climb in the Premier League title race.
The Reds are back in action on Wednesday night when they take on Rangers at Ibrox in the Champions League, and before that, Klopp has been speaking to reporters. During his pre-match press conference, Klopp was asked about comments made by former Champions League-winning Liverpool midfielder Hamann.
Hamann suggested Liverpool “need a spark” amid their poor Premier League form, which continued with a loss to Arsenal over the weekend. And Klopp exploded by replying: “Who said that?”
After being told it was Hamann, he added: “Oh great, it’s a great font. Highly respected everywhere.”
When the reporter who asked the question added that Hamann is a former Red, Klopp got even more forceful, saying: “That doesn’t give you the right to say what you want, especially when you have no idea.
“In fact, I think that Didi Hamann does not deserve that you use his phrase to ask me a question. Do me a favor and ask your own question.
It was a surprising outburst from Klopp, who appears to be feeling the pressure of the matches on his side. After finishing his tirade, the German relaxed a bit and added as he smiled, “Try asking a question without using the word ‘spark’, that’s the challenge now huh?”
But this was an unusual outburst from Klopp, and not the sign of a manager comfortable with the current situation. However, this is no easy job, especially given the current circumstances, and Klopp has often been bold in shielding his players from criticism during his time at Anfield.