Jurgen Klopp comes to the defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold amid his war of words with Erling Haaland… after the Man City striker hit back at the full-back’s scathing comments claiming he ‘doesn’t know what it’s like to win a treble’

Jurgen Klopp weighed in on the war of words between Erling Haaland and Trent Alexander-Arnold, claiming there was “nothing wrong with his player’s comments”.

Liverpool and Man City will meet in a crucial match that could have huge ramifications on the title race on Sunday, with Klopp’s side just one point ahead of the Cityzens in the league table.

But tempers have been heating up off the pitch in the run-up to the match, after Alexander-Arnold lit the fuse this week, suggesting Pep Guardiola’s side had bought their way to 14 major trophies and the treble under the Spanish. He claimed that winning the title for Liverpool this season “means more”.

His claims were responded to yesterday by Haaland, who criticized the Liverpool full-backs’ claims and stated: “I don’t think he knows exactly what it’s like to win a treble.”

But during his press conference on Friday, Klopp stood by his player, stating that he thought there was nothing wrong with what Alexander-Arnold had said, highlighting in particular Liverpool’s mantra of “this means more”.

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“Some people told me what to say,” he said, laughing. “I’m not sure how often we have to say at this club how often we respect City. Pep is the best coach in the world.

“I have a good life without being anywhere near that, incredible players, the best number 9, De Bruyne will go down in history with Steven Gerrard, imagine that conversation! Phil Foden, the best English player.

“Trent understands it, but he’s a Liverpool fan and he stood on the sidelines in front of the pitch. Our motto ‘This means more’ means it means more to us. Two years ago we had a parade after losing the Champions League the night before and the Premier League.

‘Tell me a city that would do this where it seems like we win? This club is special for us. So if we’re sorry, why not say it?

‘I’m not really interested (in outside opinions). That’s how he feels. They told me. I’m pretty sure he showed complete respect too. Man City is the most successful in years and perhaps in Europe. Ridiculous record. It means a lot to its people, I’m sure.

‘Maybe for us it’s because we don’t win as many (titles). It’s not like we won five and then six and the fifth was better. That’s all. You love these interviews when someone says what they think and the whole world (reacts). We are still allowed to think what we want. In my opinion, there is nothing wrong with what Trent said.

Klopp was then pressed on whether Sunday’s match is a title decider, but he dismissed those claims, despite adding that his team were not underestimating the importance of the match.

‘There are always great games, they probably always will be. Decider of the title race? I’m not sure who mentioned that. Pretty early huh? I don’t think anyone will open the champagne after the result, but it’s three points and it’s huge. They are an incredibly strong opponent, so we make no secret that we want to win, but knowing how difficult it is, that’s all. It’s a great game, I understand it and I’m excited.

The German coach gave bad news about the physical condition of Ibrahima Konate during his press conference, after the ‘reds’ sweated over the defender’s physical condition after he left the field due to an injury during the Europa League match against Sparta Prague on Thursday.

‘Joe Gomez is fine. Ibou (Konate) I don’t know. Last night he was quite positive, he thought he had made the right decision at the time, but unfortunately that doesn’t mean much.

‘She will definitely have a scan and I don’t have the results yet. Others are fine.’

More to continue…