Klopp explains why he ‘doesn’t like’ Maddison after Liverpool heartbreak

Jurgen Klopp has revealed he does not like James Maddison because of one key incident that helped Manchester City win the Premier League title in 2019.

Klopp and City manager Pep Guardiola were going head-to-head for the title five years ago when Vincent Kompany stunned the footballing world by scoring a sensational winner against Leicester. Kompany struck from around 30 yards to all-but hand the title to City and Guardiola for the second time.

City went on to win the Premier League by one point and Klopp is still livid over the role of Maddison leading up to Kompany scoring that goal. Klopp feels that Maddison, now at Tottenham, did not close the shot down quick enough and should have been taken off by Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers.

Speaking in an interview with Redmen TV, Klopp could not help but jokingly recall that moment and his dislike for Maddison. “The moment when Vincent Kompany touched the ball there, I am really happy I didn’t get a stroke in that moment as that’s how it must feel,” the German explained.

“I remember exactly how I was lying on the sofa watching and thinking ‘Maddison block him, close him down. Since then I don’t like Maddison. I was angry with Brendan [Rodgers] that day because he should have taken him off, he was tired. Leicester played really good first half, after that they should have scored.

“It’s just a personal thing, I have no problem with him, but when I see him it’s… and now I saw him again last weekend.”

Maddison, who joined Leicester from Norwich in 2018, spent several years at the King Power Stadium, winning the FA Cup and helping them to back-to-back fifth finishes. However, after the Foxes were relegated down to the Championship last summer, Maddison left to join Tottenham.

As for Klopp, he will take charge of his final game as Liverpool manager on Sunday. The German announced back in January that he is stepping down at the end of the season after eight-and-a-half years at Anfield. The Reds take on Wolves in their Premier League curtain-raiser and an emotional atmosphere is expected.

Reflecting on his legacy at the Reds, where he has won the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup, two Carabao Cups, Club World Cup and a UEFA Super Cup, Klopp said: “When you win one time with Liverpool, it is worth as much as five with another club.

“Experience a good moment is really good, experience a good moment with a lot of people together it is a completely different level and the same with the bad moments. So that is really special.”

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