Klopp tells media to “cool off” on criticism of Liverpool rival player
By David Gate
Jurgen Klopp has waded in on media criticism of one player from a Liverpool rival as he warns the press to “cool off” on Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil.
Liverpool fans are used to hearing manager Jurgen Klopp defending his players. He has stood by players such as Simon Mignolet, Loris Karius, Alberto Moreno and Dejan Lovren through some awful games and spells. Now he is coming to the defense of a rival player; Mesut Ozil of Arsenal.
German TV channel Sport1 asked the Reds’ boss about the ongoing situation with Ozil and the national team. The midfielder recently retired from international football and cited racist attitudes he received when underperforming as one of the reasons why.
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He posed for a photo with controversial photo with Turkish President Recip Erdogan which ignited much criticism in Germany.
Klopp highlights how the issue is complicated stating: “In politics, little things have always been blown up and big things pushed away in order to continue. Normally, intelligent people tend to hold back because it is not easy to say the right thing. I would count myself too. All those who have no idea are loud in these conversations”.
He goes on to talk about the loyalty of Mesut Ozil (and fellow German Ilkay Gundogan) to his homeland but adds: “The difference is that they have one more thing (in their heritage) – that’s beautiful”.
The Liverpool boss then goes on to make an appeal for the media to cool off their criticism and see beyond the headline and scandal: “Even the media should not create a buzz around something like this every day. Just cool off and see the people behind it.”
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Liverpool are preparing to make it three wins in a row to start the season as they welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to Anfield. The Seagulls beat Manchester United last weekend but will have bad memories of face the Reds after losing 4-0 in the same fixture and 5-1 in Brighton last season