Jurgen Klopp, the former manager of Liverpool, has spoken of his disappointment at fans of the club booing Trent Alexander-Arnold before his departure to Real Madrid.
The England international will leave after 20 years at the club following the expiry of his contract next month and is set for a move to Spain.
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His every touch was booed by a vocal section of home supporters during the first game following his announcement, the 2-2 Premier League draw with Arsenal on May 11.
“I don’t want to tell you what you have to think but I can tell you what you think is wrong. Because I’m an old man and I don’t waste time hiding my opinions,” Klopp said speaking at an event to raise money for the LFC Foundation on Friday.
Klopp left Liverpool last summer after a hugely successful eight-year spell, which included the club’s first Premier League title in 2020 and a Champions League win a year earlier.
Mohamed Salah labelled supporters “harsh” for voicing their displeasure at Alexander-Arnold with Klopp holding a similar view given the 26-year-old’s significant contributions to the club’s success in recent years.
“This boy, 18 years old, scored a free-kick in Hoffenheim where if he doesn’t score that we don’t qualify for the Champions League,” he said.
“Against Barcelona he did the most cheeky thing in the world and set up the goal for 4-0, a result and a game which will not happen again.
“I don’t tell you you should not be angry, you should not be disappointed, I tell you don’t forget. This club doesn’t forget.”
“I watched the game when he came on and I heard the booing. I needed another 10 seconds to realise and then I switched the telly (television) off,” he said.
“Honestly, I could not have been more disappointed at this moment. This is not us, 100 per cent.”
“He gave absolutely everything. He wears the Liverpool badge in the skin,” he added. “But now he plays next year for another club and we decide how we deal with that.”
Klopp will return to Anfield on Sunday as Liverpool conclude their season against Crystal Palace, after which they will receive the Premier League trophy.
(Stu Forster/Getty Images)
