A LOOK BACK: Liverpool face Nottingham Forest tonight for the fifth time under Jurgen Klopp, with some accusing the Reds manager of being ‘disrespectful’ for his comments in the build-up to their first meeting in 2022.
Liverpool are due to face Nottingham Forest later today, with both teams needing for points.
It will be Jurgen Klopp’s fifth encounter with Forest, with Liverpool winning three of the previous four and losing one. The first meeting took place in 2022, when Liverpool traveled to the City Ground for an FA Cup quarterfinal match while Forest were still in the Championship.
And Klopp sparked controversy with his pre-match remarks, which were interpreted as insulting by some. “I would prefer to have the boys together for two weeks I can tell you, that would be much better,” he went on to say.
“They clearly have a lot of crucial games to play, particularly Sadio [Mane] and Mo [Salah]. Let’s hope and pray they return healthy. Before the international break, we have a really vital game against Nottingham.
“This is my first time there. I only remember Nottingham from when I was a youngster watching Robin Hood! I’ve always wondered how it might look there. Probably no time for sightseeing, but I’m looking forward to it.”
And Klopp sparked controversy with his pre-match remarks, which were interpreted as insulting by some. “I would prefer to have the boys together for two weeks I can tell you, that would be much better,” he went on to say.
“They clearly have a lot of crucial games to play, particularly Sadio [Mane] and Mo [Salah]. Let’s hope and pray they return healthy. Before the international break, we have a really vital game against Nottingham.
“This is my first time there. I only remember Nottingham from when I was a youngster watching Robin Hood! I’ve always wondered how it might look there. Probably no time for sightseeing, but I’m looking forward to it.”
In reaction to Klopp’s words, one fan wrote, “Nottingham Forest won back-to-back European Cups when this man was growing up. It’s not for me to say whether he’s being thick as s**t or disrespectful, but based on previous evidence, I’m going with both.
“There is a delicate line between being charming and patronizing, isn’t there? “Poor Klopp,” another wrote. While a third commented, “Last time I checked, Nottingham Forest had more European Cups than Klopp.”
However, Klopp was full of admiration for the Forest fans after the game and has remained very courteous ever since. “It’s my first time here, and I’d like to compliment everyone involved,” he remarked after Liverpool’s 1-0 victory.
“Each time they won a challenge, the crowd celebrated as if they had scored a goal, which I really enjoy. The atmosphere was huge, as was the event. It felt like a European night, to be honest. I know Nottingham had them a long ago, but the crowd is ready.
He has also previously praised Forest’s former manager, Steve Cooper, who was fired in December and succeeded by Nuno Espirito Santo. Forest are presently just four points above the relegation zone and will be looking to trigger an upset this afternoon.
