Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has aimed a cheeky dig at Tottenham Hotspur playmaker James Maddison ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Vincent Kompany’s Burnley.
In the eyes of us mere mortals, the goal which secured Manchester City the Premier League title back in 2019 – Vincent Kompany lashing home one of the most iconic strikes in the competition’s history from miles out away to Leicester – was one of those moments where you just throw up your hands and admit there was nothing that could be done to prevent it.
Well, not according to Jurgen Klopp.
As far as the Liverpool manager is concerned, had James Maddison been a little more switched on to his defensive duties, Kompany would not have been invited to unleash that blockbuster, and the trophy may have been adorned with red rather than blue ribbons that season.
Jurgen Klopp goes up against Vincent Kompany again
“Yes, I forgave him that goal a long time (ago),” Klopp smiles, speaking to the Liverpool website ahead of Burnley’s trip to Anfield on Saturday afternoon.
“There are plenty of players I should hate. (Former Bayern Munich winger) Arjen Robben is one of them! But I don’t. Same as with Vincent Kompany.
“I believe there were other situations in that season where I thought they were more influential than Vincent Kompany’s goal. When I think about that situation, I still think Maddison should have blocked the shot!
“Vincent just tried to get rid of the ball, and it ended up in the goal! But no, absolutely, not that’s important. Yes, I forgave him, long ago.”
Liverpool aiming to stay top of the table
Maddison’s game, of course, has always been more about creating goals than stopping them. But Klopp does have a point, the then-Leicester talisman standing idly by as Kompany took aim.
Liverpool, at least, would end their three-decade wait for a top-flight crown just one year later. That remains their only Premier League success since the competition’s inception, however, with the long-serving German looking to sign off with another.
Liverpool remain two points clear of Manchester City and Arsenal despite losing 3-1 to the latter last time out.
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