GARY NEVILLE believes Jurgen Klopp has ‘destroyed’ Liverpool’s owners after the manager discussed his club’s decision to join the Super League live on television.
The German boss – who has previously criticised the idea of a European franchise league – said his ‘feelings haven’t changed’ towards it.
Speaking ahead of Liverpool’s game against Leeds, Klopp said: “My feelings and my opinion didn’t change.
“It is a tough one. People are not happy with that. I can understand that, but I cannot say a lot more because we were not involved in any processes, not the players nor me.
“I have no issues with the Champions League. We want to qualify for the Champions League next year.
“I like the competitive factor of football. I like the fact West Ham might play Champions League next year. I like that they have the chance.
“I don’t know exactly why the 12 clubs did it. I know some things will change in the future in football and some things have to change in football that’s for sure.”
“But usually, you have to prepare these kinds of things, you need time for convincing. I can understand that people think is not right is the competitiveness I get that.
“I don’t like that we may not be in the Champions League but if we earn it then we want to be there like anybody else.”
Two years ago Klopp said: “I hope there will never be this Super League. With the way the Champions League is now running, football had a really great product.”
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Neville, hearing Klopp’s comments during Monday Night Football on Sky Sports, responded by saying: “He’s done it in a very calm fashion, I think he has to in the position he’s in.
“He’s destroyed his owners on national television – let’s be clear – he’s gone out against his owners on national television.”
Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher also welcomed Klopp’s stance and said: “That’s the start – a manager of one of the ‘Big Six’ clubs who is disagreeing totally with what his owners are doing. We need the other five managers to do exactly the same. It’s only going to get bigger.”
Liverpool – the first ESL team to play a Premier League game since the league was announced yesterday – have been heavily criticised inside and outside Elland Road this evening.
The Leeds players wore t-shirts during the warm-up with the words ‘Champions League EARN IT’ emblazoned across the front – a move that made Klopp ‘angry’.
Protesting fans also tried to stop the Liverpool team bus from entering the ground, later booing them and calling them ‘scum’ over their plot to join the controversial breakaway league.
A plane also flew a banner over the stadium that read: ‘Say No To Super League’.
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Liverpool chief executive Billy Hogan begged club staff to get behind the European Super League because it will be the ‘future of European football’.
Hogan – in an email to Liverpool employees yesterday morning – attempted to drum up support from within by promising to TREBLE European competition revenues.
The statement read: “The Super League will be the future of European football and if we want to continue our journey of being a sustainable club with ambition to grow and continue winning trophies then we should absolutely be part of that process and have a seat at the table rather than outside that group.
“These solidarity payments are expected to be roughly three times what is currently achieved from UEFA competitions. We believe this decision is in the best long-term interests of Liverpool Football Club.”
But Hogan may struggle to persuade James Milner, who told Sky Sports after tonight’s match: “My personal opinion, I don’t like it and hopefully it doesn’t happen.
“I think the players obviously have no say, so the welcome we got to the ground tonight was a bit unjust because obviously we’re here to play football and in no control of it.”
The Liverpool midfielder said he wasn’t in favour of the ESL because of the ‘same reasons as everybody else’ and admitted he only found out about the plans last night.
Neville is a fierce critic of the breakaway league, calling United owners the Glazers ‘scavengers’ earlier today.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
