The reporter who was criticised by Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has opened up on the events which led to the Reds boss storming out of an interview.
A furious Klopp walked out of an interview with Viaplay TV after he was left unimpressed by comments about Liverpool’s energy levels in Sunday’s 4-3 defeat to Manchester United.
The reporter, Niels Christian Frederiksen, later told Tipsbladet that Klopp’s frustrations did not end after the cameras were turned off.
“I was very surprised by it, and those standing around were scared, and they were almost pressed up against the wall like: ‘wow, what the hell just happened here?'” Frederiksen revealed. “It continued after what was seen on TV. He continued down the hallway, where he yelled and screamed at me. I also followed him because I thought it was something strange.
“I was very surprised, while some looked very shocked, and they asked: ‘Are you OK?’ and of course I’m OK. I have interviewed Jurgen many times. I don’t know him personally, but I’ve been to Mainz several times when Leon Andreasen and Mohamed Zidan were there, and I have also interviewed him in Dortmund and many times during his time in Liverpool.
“So we don’t have a bad relationship at all. I know that when you’re one of the world’s best coaches, and you have been for years, it doesn’t come if you’re not the world’s worst loser. The premise of being a good coach is that you don’t like to lose and that you are a winner.”
Klopp has faced criticism for his comments that Frederiksen was “not in a great shape”, with many suggesting he was insulting the reporter’s appearance, but Frederiksen believes a language slip-up saw the true meaning of Klopp’s statement lost.
“No, no, no, that was not at all what he meant,” the reporter said. “First of all, I’m not overweight, and if I were, he would never ever say that. That’s not how Klopp is. It wasn’t meant like that at all. He’s not at all mean. He meant that I was unable and unfit to ask questions. There was nothing else.
“I think it [the interview] was respectful. The important thing when you interview is to listen to what they say and not stare at your papers. He says they lack intensity in extra time, so it was natural to ask why the intensity wasn’t there. They’ve had many injuries, and they’ve complained about the schedule, and I can understand him in that, but he could have just said that.”
Frederiksen continued: “I interpret it…
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