Jurgen Klopp speaks out after the Netherlands accuse Germany of ‘unsporting behaviour’ involving Virgil van Dijk.
Jürgen Klopp disagreed with Virgil van Dijk’s take on a controversial moment during Germany’s 1-1 draw against the Netherlands.
Klopp was in charge of Germany for the first time on Thursday, September 24, as the four-time world champions played against their rivals in Amsterdam.
Felix Nmecha scored a close-range goal for Germany after 32 minutes. But then Cody Gakpo, who Klopp had signed for Liverpool in the past, equalized for the Netherlands in stoppage time.
The German goal caused a lot of debate because it happened while the Netherlands’ player Brian Brobbey was injured, though Germany kept playing and launched the attack that led to the goal.
Van Dijk, the Dutch captain, called the decision to allow the goal a “disgrace.” Other players got involved in a scuffle, and after the game, Van Dijk made it clear how upset he was.
Former Dutch player Rafael van der Vaart also said Germany’s actions were “unsportsmanlike.”
But Klopp responded firmly, saying, “It wasn’t a disgrace at all. The goal was fair. I don’t feel bad about it. If the goal wasn’t fair, I would feel guilty, but I’m not.”
He added, “I told my players to keep playing. They didn’t stop, and we made a great move. Felix was in the right spot and scored perfectly.”
Klopp also mentioned that when feelings run high, people sometimes say things they don’t mean.
Germany’s captain Joshua Kimmich shared a similar view. He said Van Dijk’s reaction wasn’t well thought out.
Kimmich explained, “I passed the ball, Philipp crossed it, and we scored. The referee is the one who stops the game if someone is seriously hurt. I didn’t hear a whistle, so the game went on correctly.”
Germany will next play Greece on September 27, then face Serbia on October 1, and finally play Greece again on October 4 as part of the Nations League.