Klopp admits mistake over Conte, Tottenham comments and reacts to Guardiola, Liverpool jibe

Jurgen Klopp has admitted that he was wrong to criticise Antonio Conte and his style of football following Liverpool’s draw with Tottenham.

The Reds slipped up in the Premier League title race by claiming only a point at home to Spurs on Saturday. Manchester City subsequently took advantage and went three clear at the top by beating Newcastle.

Tottenham’s point, meanwhile, could serve them well in the top-four race and it came as a result of a resolute away display. Conte set his team up to defend and soak up pressure before hitting Liverpool on the counter-attack.

A frustrated Klopp subsequently claimed that Spurs should “do more for the game”. The German added that he “cannot coach” Conte’s style of football.

Speaking in another press conference on Tuesday, Klopp admitted he made a mistake in the heat of the moment.

“As a manager – and I had this experience recently – after a game we are massively influenced by the game,” the manager said.

“So what I said, would I say it again? No. I said after the game, ‘They play like they play and are still only fifth’.

“So, it was just my feeling in that moment. I couldn’t respect Antonio more and what he’s doing and how he organises teams.”

However, Klopp’s comments were not the only ones which attracted attention last weekend. City manager Pep Guardiola claimed after his side’s 5-0 win over Newcastle that “everyone in this country supports Liverpool, the media and everyone”.

The Athletic has claimed that the Spaniard has a ‘clandestine’ Twitter account through which he monitors the rhetoric around his team.

However, Klopp insisted that Guardiola was only doing what he himself did on Saturday.

“I don’t know the situation Pep made those comments in,” the Liverpool boss said. “After