MX23RW : Wednesday, December 18 23:16:52| >> :60:2463:2463:

Jurgen Klopp braced for Super League backlash when stadiums reopen

Jurgen Klopp braced for Super League backlash when stadiums reopen
© Reuters
Liverpool were one of six Premier League clubs to be involved in the breakaway competition before pulling out.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expects the Super League debacle will mean his side face a backlash from fans when grounds reopen to the public.

The Reds are part of the 'Big Six' who wanted to join the breakaway European competition before its spectacular collapse 48 hours after its launch.

Klopp and his players bore the brunt of supporters' anger prior to their match against Leeds on Monday – when the project was still alive – with a large group with banners gathering outside Elland Road to greet the team coach with "greedy" chants.

Fans hold up a protest banner outside Elland Road
Fans protested outside Elland Road this week (Zac Goodwin/PA)

Despite Klopp pointing out he and his players had nothing to do with the talks and, in fact, came out to a man in opposition, he fears they will continue to be targeted.

"I don't worry about that, I know it will be like this. Of course, football fans are like this," he said.

"It is probably not only for Liverpool, but for us I am sure. It is not about fair play in these moments.

"I am pretty sure the supporters of Leeds who were showing up at the stadium and running after us knew as well that we were not involved in it but they didn't care.

"They just wanted to tell us what they told us. Yes it will be even worse when people are back in the stadiums."

Despite a fractious week, in which his own relationship with Liverpool owners Fenway Sports Group has been tested after being kept in the dark about the proposals, Klopp insists he has not fallen out of love with football.

"Never with the game. Just with the things around. It's a big one, I felt it the same way, but I cannot constantly talk about it, think about it," he added.

"But I never lost my love for the game. We had so many things going on this year and we always tried to get through.

"I said after the (Leeds) game, if someone asked me 'What are you missing from this year?', in terms of what could have happened on top of all the rubbish that happened to you, I would have said 'The Super League is coming up!'.

"It was a lot but it had nothing to do with the game.

"All the things around it? The game stayed the same. It got better and better and better."

ID:444575:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5191:
Written by
P A

Click here for more stories about Jurgen Klopp

Click here for more stories about Liverpool

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Nat Phillips warms up for Liverpool in October 2020
Read Next:
Liverpool remain without Nat Phillips for Newcastle game
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
Read more about Jurgen Klopp Football
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool15113131131836
2Chelsea16104237191834
3Arsenal1686229151430
4Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest168442119228
5Manchester CityMan City168352823527
6Bournemouth167452421325
7Aston Villa167452425-125
8Fulham166642422224
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton166642625124
10Tottenham HotspurSpurs1672736191723
11Brentford167273230223
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle166552321223
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd166462119222
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham165472129-819
15Crystal Palace163761721-416
16Everton153661421-715
17Leicester CityLeicester163582134-1314
18Ipswich TownIpswich162681628-1212
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1623112440-169
20Southampton1612131136-255


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!