What Jurgen Klopp did when the cameras turned off: TV reporter in tunnel spat reveals ‘yelling and screaming’ Liverpool boss ‘scared’ bystanders – but says ‘fat jibe’ claims are just a misunderstanding
The Danish journalist at the center of Jurgen Klopp’s post-match interview has revealed the Liverpool manager ‘scared’ bystanders by ‘screaming and shouting’ as soon as the cameras stopped.
Klopp left his interview on ViaPlay after Liverpool withdrew from the FA Cup following a dramatic 4-3 defeat to Manchester United.
The Liverpool boss stood up for his media responsibilities after the match but took exception to a question from Niels Christian Fredericksen about whether they had played too many games and this had caught up with his players.
“You’re clearly not in great shape and I have no nerves for you,” Klopp said angrily as he walked past the reporter and left the interview.
Now Fredericksen has detailed what exactly happened after the interview was cut short.
An irate Jurgen Klopp stormed out of a post-match interview with Scandinavian TV following Liverpool’s dramatic 4-3 FA Cup quarter-final defeat to Man United at Old Trafford
Klopp apparently took offense to a question criticizing his team’s intensity in extra time
Klopp lashed out at the reporter for asking a ‘stupid’ and ‘really disappointing’ question – and the reporter, Niels Christian Fredericksen, has now detailed what happened off camera
It is claimed that Klopp (left) had not finished his smoke after the interview was cut short
“I was very surprised by it,” he told the Danish outlet Tipsbladet‘and the people standing around were scared, and they were almost pressed against the wall like, “wow, what the hell happened here?”
‘It continued after what you saw on TV. He walked down the hallway yelling and screaming at me. I also went after him because I thought it was strange.’
He added: ‘I was very surprised, while some people looked very shocked, asking, “Are you OK?” and damn, I’m fine.’
Mail Sport has approached Liverpool for comment.
Emotions were clearly high for Klopp as the defeat ruined any chance of him completing a famous quadruple in his final season in charge of Liverpool.
Fredericksen revealed that Klopp ‘scared’ bystanders by ‘screaming’ as he walked down the corridor
After being asked if his side’s intensity dropped in extra-time, Klopp said angrily: ‘That’s a bit of a stupid question.
‘If you see us often, you can ask us the other times why we have so much energy.
‘I don’t know how many games we’ve played recently and how many Manchester United have had. That’s sports.
“I’m very disappointed with that question, but you clearly liked it.”
Extensive images of the tense confrontation emerged on Monday morning.
Klopp told the reporter ‘you’re clearly not in top form’ before storming off and footage of the aftermath shows how their conversation went.
“What a question you’re talking about…what’s wrong with you? What did you want now?’ Klopp asks after sailing past Frederiksen.
The journalist stops and asks, “How come you are so provocative?”
But Klopp had already left the broadcast position, leaving the reporter standing while the camera continued recording. He also appeared to reach for the microphone before walking away.
Liverpool led twice but found themselves on the wrong side of the tie after a dramatic 120 minutes
Much was made of Klopp’s comment that Fredericksen is ‘not in top form’ but the reporter, who has interviewed Klopp many times before, insisted this was simply a misunderstanding and not a fat joke as many had interpreted.
“No, no, no, no, he didn’t mean that at all,” Fredericksen added. “First of all, I’m not overweight, and if I was, he would never say that. Klopp is not like that.
‘It wasn’t meant that way at all. He’s not annoying at all. He felt that I was incapable and unfit to ask questions. There was none of that other stuff.”
Liverpool led United 2-1 and 3-2 in a thrilling FA Cup quarter-final at Old Trafford before goals from Marcus Rashford and Amad Diallo in the second half of extra time put United through.
Klopp complained in his post-match press conference about his side’s looseness in front of goal
Although Liverpool’s FA Cup hopes have been dashed, they can still add the Premier League title and the UEFA Europa League to the Carabao Cup they won last month.
When asked about possible fatigue in his squad ahead of the international break, Klopp added: ‘I hope the (international managers) want them to be in the best shape for the summer.
‘So I hope they don’t have to play ninety minutes twice. But it’s out of my hands.’
The Reds return to action on March 31 when they travel to Brighton, with Klopp’s side currently second in the Premier League behind Arsenal on goal difference.