Tempers flared.
In terms of touchline theatrics, they don’t come much more animated than Jurgen Klopp. So, to hear that the Liverpool boss was involved in a confrontation with a Swansea supporter during his side’s 1-0 defeat to the Welsh club on Monday night is not at all surprising.
In fact, it doesn’t matter that it was Klopp. You could even imagine Claude Puel getting a bit hot under the collar if he had abuse hurled at him from the stands after Riyad Mahrez missed a gilt-edged chance.
Because that’s what the German tactician was faced with. With emotions high as the Reds chased the game, Klopp reacted to comments made by a supporter close to the dugout at the Liberty Stadium.
As Mohamed Salah stepped up to take a free-kick, his manager could be seen gesturing towards a Swansea supporter sat behind the dugout, with the former Borussia Dortmund boss putting his finger to his lips.
With the Liverpool coach at his wit’s end after watching his side spurn a series of goalscoring opportunities, he snapped.
“He was shouting at me all the time. Sorry, I reacted one time,” said Klopp. “I remind myself I am a human being and not a professional manager who takes that all the time.
“At one point, I said ‘please’. He felt quite good because nobody can do anything. He is in a good position. I’m sure I’m not the first manager.
“It’s my fault as well, I shouldn’t have reacted. But I didn’t say anything bad, only that I showed I wasn’t too happy by what he was saying all the time. I am frustrated. I am more frustrated about the performance than the result. The result is always a result of the performance.”
To be fair, Klopp is absolutely right. He is a human being and there is only so much taunting he can tolerate before responding. He is also correct about the supporter’s privileged position, knowing that the manager could never do anything more than offer a few choice words himself in retaliation.
Fair play to him, too, for admitting that he was wrong for taking the bait and apologising for his part in the incident immediately.
One final thing: that Swansea supporter is a braver man than I. Klopp is the last manager I’d want to antagonise. Have you seen that guy’s angry face? Well, just as a reminder, it’s below.
