Jurgen Klopp calls out Virgil van Dijk as tensions boil over in Nations League game

He publicly disagreed after Germany's controversial goal against the Netherlands.

For the first time, Klopp took charge of his Germany side on Thursday September 24, with the four-time world champions taking on rivals The Netherlands in Amsterdam.

Felix Nmecha’s first-half goal put Klopp's side ahead just after the hour mark, before Cody Gakpo levelled things late on.

Germany's goal caused serious controversy, with Netherlands skipper Van Dijk branding it a “disgrace”.

The reason for this was that Brian Brobbey picked up an injury before the goal, though Germany continued to play.

Jurgen Klopp though, has since fired back at Van Dijk:

“It certainly wasn't a disgrace. The goal was completely legitimate. I don't have a guilty conscience. And I would have one if it weren't legitimate. I would have taken it anyway, but I would have had a guilty conscience. I don't have one.

“I would have told my players that they had to keep playing.

“They didn't. And we took full advantage of it with a really excellent move. Great cross, great run. Felix was where he needed to be – and he smashed the ball in.

“It certainly wasn't a disgrace, but when emotions are running high, you can say anything in the heat of the moment.”

Germany's captain Joshua Kimmich gave a similar stance to his manager:

“I played a pass to Philipp [Treu], he crossed the ball, and we scored a goal,” Kimmich stated.

“The referee stops the game, especially when a player has a head injury. It is the referee's responsibility to determine whether the player is seriously injured.

“I didn't hear a whistle, so the game continued completely correctly.”