Klopp responds to snowgate and gamesmanship accusations

Jurgen Klopp TEAMtalk

Jurgen Klopp has denied gamesmanship allegations after snow fell on the Anfield pitch during Liverpool’s 1-1 draw with Leicester in midweek.

Snow began to fall before the first half at Anfield and ground staff tried their best to clear the surface that Klopp afterwards claimed was “difficult” to play on.

Afterwards Klopp admitted that Liverpool “needed to speed it up in the final third” on a tricky surface.

It was noted that the Anfield ground staff made clearing the penalty area that Leicester were defending, at the Kop end, in the second half their priority during the 15-minute break. That led to accusations of sportsmanship by Klopp – allegations that he denied at Melwood on Friday.

Klopp said: “The situation is like everyone saw. When we started warming up it started snowing, which was OK. But when we came out again the pitch was full of hail or wet snow and the pitch was difficult.

“In the first half we had 80% of the ball and the only team who suffered was us.

“Our groundstaff tried to clear it but we didn’t have enough manpower. Nobody told them to do it like that and just clear their box, I can promise that.

“Next time if it’s snowing we will have enough people to clear the whole pitch.

“I’ve never celebrated another team losing or dropping points. I’ve never asked anyone to clear one side of the pitch.”

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