Things went from bad to worse.
Jurgen Klopp’s mind is solely on Liverpool’s Champions League match against Spartak Moscow, but the German coach might be scratching his head after being forced to endure a very bizarre press conference this afternoon.
Klopp met members of the media at the Sheraton Hotel close to Shermetyevo Airport and according to those in attendance, the Liverpool manager spent 11 minutes dealing with a shoddy microphone, strange questions and a struggling translator.
Microphone issues, translator issues – this press conference 🤦♂️
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) September 25, 2017
Before flying to Russia, Liverpool’s squad trained at Melwood on Monday morning before heading off on their four-hour flight. After entering the press conference, Klopp started answering questions from the media but the photographers persisted to take photographs while he tried to answer their questions.
“If he asks a question then you have to stop taking photos otherwise I can’t hear it and this will take longer,” he said.
To compound matters, the official interpreter started translating Klopp’s answers before he had finished talking.
For some reason, the former Borussia Dortmund coach was then informed by a journalist that during Spartak’s recent league match against Anzhi, five players had tried to tackle one Spartak player at the same time. Why? Who knows.
“I’m not here to judge their game, we just analyse them to see what we can do. We won’t be going with five on one – I can promise that,” Klopp answered.
The final straw came when the Liverpool manager was ten asked to comment about a recent remark that Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino had made.
Klopp was asked: “Mauricio Pochettino said at the weekend he’s in love with Harry Kane. Are you in love with any of your players?”
After hearing this question, the German answered by saying: “I am really impressed that we’re in a Champions League press conference and we’re talking about things like this….I really don’t understand the business any more. I love the club and that includes the players.”
After the interpreter tried to butt in, Klopp said: “The question and my answer were not important for Russia it was just an English thing. Pochettino loves Kane and who do I love, that’s the question. A waste of time.”
Despite this shambles of a press conference, the only think that matters is the three points against the Russian side and if Liverpool manage to get them, we’re certain that Klopp’s post-match interview will be far more positive.
Here’s the interview in full and the final question arrives at the 8 minute mark.
Klopp asked if he loves any of his players, he's not impressed. Press conference over.
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceLFC) September 25, 2017
This is the most mental press conference you'll ever see. "Waste of time" declares Klopp!
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) September 25, 2017
