Hernandez and Hojlund brothers face up to sibling rivalries in Champions League

Jurgen Klopp, the manager of Liverpool, made a mischievous joke to assorted reporters after his most recent European night at Anfield. His team had just beaten Belgium’s Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League and, on his way to speaking to the media, Klopp noticed a queue of reporters wanting a moment with Alexis and Kevin Mac Allister.

The Argentine brothers, one a midfielder for Liverpool, the other a defender at Union, had just played against each other for the first time in senior football. “They’re doing 25 interviews in a row, together,” smiled Klopp. “It felt like it’s the first time two brothers played against each other. A nice story.”

It was not the first time, of course. Somebody mentioned the Nevilles, Gary and Phil, Manchester United colleagues in the 1990s and 2000s until Phil joined Everton and, playing against United, was frequently up against his older sibling.

Klopp cheekily answered: “Well, nobody was interested in that, obviously.” The Nevilles remain mostly associated with United, Liverpool’s great rivals and Gary Neville is now a prominent pundit, critical of Liverpool at times this season. Klopp made it clear his remark was meant entirely in good humour.

Some mischief would follow the latest set of brothers to come up against one another at OId Trafford, too, in the last round of the Champions League.

Oscar Hojlund, whose late entry as a substitute for Copenhagen had been pivotal to his team’s being awarded a stoppage-time penalty at United, was talking to reporters afterwards.

Along came his older brother, Rasmus, who playfully knocked away a broadcaster’s microphone. Rasmus was a relieved member of the winning side, United having held their 1-0 advantage thanks to Andre Onana saving the