Jurgen Klopp was left seething about the proposed introduction of the European Super League and the timing of the announcement just before Monday’s Premier League clash with Leeds United, as reported by the Athletic.
A self-professed ‘football romantic’ was never going to give his backing to a project which threatened to rip the beating heart out of our beautiful game.
While Klopp was reluctant to give too much away at Elland Road – given the almost impossible task of having to stand up for what he knows was right while avoiding speaking out against his direct superiors – it is no surprise to learn that the Liverpool manager was ‘furious’ behind the scenes.
The Athletic reports that Klopp was far from happy to learn that the Fenway Sports Group (Liverpool’s American owners) were willing to sacrifice 128 years of history, while risking that famous connection between club and supporters, by putting their name to such a ghoulish project.
Klopp, meanwhile, was also unimpressed with the timing of the announcement; one which forced his Liverpool players – who are completely innocent in the whole sorry saga – to act as the lightning rod for the fans’ fury ahead of a crucial Premier League trip to Leeds.
Liverpool, alongside the rest of the so-called ‘big six’, pulled out of the Super League on Tuesday evening.
Whether the damage to FSG’s reputation can be repaired remains to be seen.
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