Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he does not like Tottenham midfielder James Maddison.
Liverpool’s main competitor in the Klopp era was Manchester City, and their struggle turned out to be especially stubborn in the 2018/19 season, when the Reds finished with 97 points — one less than the Citizens.
One of the key matches at the end of that season was City’s 1-0 victory over Leicester, when Vincent Kompany scored the only goal with a magnificent long-range shot. Namely, Maddison, then playing for the Foxes, could not prevent this, disappointing Klopp.
“At the moment when Vincent Kompany hit the ball, I was really glad that I didn’t have a stroke. That’s how it felt.”
“I remember perfectly lying on the couch, watching and thinking, “Maddison, block it, close it.”
“I haven’t liked Maddison since. I was angry at Brendan (Rogers) because he had to replace him — Maddison was tired.”
Leicester played really well in the first half, after which they conceded.”
“It’s just personal — I don’t have a problem with him, but when I see him… And I’m just going to see him in the final round,” Klopp told Redmen TV.