Jurgen Klopp has admitted he is not an admirer of Atletico Madrid’s style of football ahead of Liverpool’s return to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium.
Diego Simeone’s side are renowned for their defensive solidity and pragmatic approach to frustrate teams, which is a stark contrast to Klopp’s own ‘heavy metal football’ approach at Anfield.
Atletico ended Liverpool’s Champions League defence in the last-16 of the 2019/20 campaign, and Klopp made it clear their style is not his cup of tea.
The German criticised Simeone’s side of not playing ‘proper football’ throughout that game, although has admitted he was annoyed following a match that was played against the backdrop of the growing COVID-19 pandemic, which saw all football suspended the following day.
Klopp did not quite apologise when faced with questions over his previous remarks, but said he has a great deal of respect for Atletico’s success and that of their manager.
Klopp said: “’Do I like it? Not too much but I like a different style of football.
“I don’t have to like it, it just has to be successful but, in very difficult times for football clubs, they have done an impressive job with signings, have a proper team and look for me like the champions again in La Liga.
“What I said was for sure influenced by the mood I was in one and a half years ago.
“First and foremost I said after the second game that I was angry and disappointed about life a little bit, that things go wrong in the world and we have to focus on football and then we played a team full of world class players who defended with all they have.
“Simeone is doing absolutely everything right, Spanish champions, at Atletico for a very long time and a bunch of world class players, keeps them on their toes, I respect what they do.”
The Atletico boss has declined to respond to the former Borussia Dortmund manager’s remark that his side cannot play ‘proper football’ since the last time both sides faced each other two seasons ago.
In February 2020, Atletico Madrid won 1-0 in the first leg, thanks to an early goal from Saul in the fourth minute, before the return leg at Anfield.
Liverpool instinctively responded through Georginio Wijnaldum taking the tie into extra-time.
Roberto Firmino doubled Liverpool’s advantage in the 94th minute before Liverpool surrendered their lead, as a Marcos Llorente double and a goal from Alvaro Morata secured a 4-2 aggregate win for the Spaniards, who were knocked out in the next round by RB Leipzig.
At the end of the game, Klopp started to speak about Atletico’s approach in the manner that they won the tie when he said: “’I don’t understand, with the quality they have, the football they play. They could play proper football, but they stand deep and have counter-attacks.”
Both sides are now ready to encounter again in the group stage, but Simeone was in no mood to begin a war of words with his counterpart.
When was asked about his thoughts about Klopp’s criticism, the Atleti manager responded: “Nothing.”
Simeone is relishing the challenge to face Liverpool, who are playing their best football and talisman Mohamed Salah is leading the line with distinction for the Reds.
Klopp’s side remain unbeaten in all competitions so far this season, having scored in every match with a record of 33 goals in 11 games.
Salah is the Reds’ top goalscorer with ten and a visit to the Wanda Metropolitano brings fond memories when he scored from the spot in Liverpool’s 2019 Champions League final triumph over Tottenham.
The challenge of stopping Liverpool awaits Atletico when the Reds come to visit the current LaLiga champions.
“All I care about really is Liverpool, but Mohamed Salah is an extraordinary player, who has been playing at a fantastic level for the last few years with Liverpool and his national team,” said Simeone.
“Liverpool are going through a fantastic spell of football, they seem to have a different rhythm, and it is a pleasure to see them play.
“They have no fear to leave spaces at the back. They press high, play a high line, have speed.
“Virgil van Dijk has improved solidity in defence, which is important even for an attacking team like Liverpool, and he brings security they didn’t have last year.
“I don’t expect anything other than a team who will make things very difficult for us.
“We need to match their intensity and then look for our own chances. We will try to find ways to hurt them.
“The last time we faced Liverpool, we won the game at home before we even entered the stadium. I want that to be remembered.”
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