Jurgen Klopp Clarifies Comments on Burnley Ahead of Liverpool’s Boxing Day Trip
Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool FC, has clarified his recent comments about Burnley, stating that he did not intend to take a dig at the town. The clarification comes after Klopp’s remarks during a Q&A session at the test event for the opening of the expanded Anfield Road stand.
During the event, when asked about his Christmas plans in front of the 7,000 supporters present, Klopp jokingly replied, “Where do we go on the 26th? Oh, a drive to Burnley. Yes, a great place to celebrate Christmas.” However, these comments were later misinterpreted as a negative remark about the town.
In a press conference, Klopp sarcastically responded to questions about his comments, saying, “No, it was 100 percent true… my God.” He then explained that his remarks were made in a lighthearted manner and were not meant to be taken seriously.
Klopp further elaborated on the context of his comments, sharing that he was in a positive mood when he arrived at the stadium and witnessed children playing and fans cheering. He admitted to making several remarks during the Q&A session and acknowledged that he sometimes says foolish things.
The manager clarified that he didn’t have the schedule in mind when he mentioned Burnley and simply responded positively to the mention of the town. He emphasized that he would have reacted similarly if any other city had been mentioned. Klopp also mentioned that he has no issues with Burnley and even has connections to the town through one of his best friend’s family.
In conclusion, Klopp stated that his visits to Burnley are solely for football purposes and that he has never explored the town beyond the stadium. He acknowledged that matches against Burnley have been challenging but assured everyone that his comments were not meant as a dig at the town itself.