Jurgen Klopp on Sadio Mane’s refusal to shake his hand: We will talk about it

Mane snubbed his manager’s offer of a handshake after the full-time whistle at Old Trafford on Thursday.

Sadio Mane in a file photo; Credit: Liverpool FC Twitter
By Karthik Raman | May 15, 2021 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said that he will speak to Sadio Mane about refusing to shake his hand at Old Trafford. Mane snubbed his manager’s offer of a handshake after the full-time whistle at Old Trafford on Thursday. The Senegal international started the 4-2 Premier League win at Manchester United on the bench. “I cannot make a bigger story of it as it is,” said Klopp ahead of their match against West Bromwich Albion in his pre-match press conference.

“Football is an emotional game and everyone expects from us that we control our emotions always and that doesn’t work out always. That’s the case. It happened to me as a player, happened to other players when I was their coach.”

“We had so far no real chance to talk about it, but we will and there will be nothing left – everything will be fine. Do we want these things [to] happen? No, but it’s not the first time in my life and I’m afraid to say it will probably not be the last time. That’s it.”

Downplaying the Mane incident, Klopp reminisced about his playing days and the things he did out of emotions. “So, if somebody shows me five million times respect and one time not, what is then more important? The world is then in a situation where you then make this one time bigger than necessary, that’s unfortunately the case,” he added.

“I am completely relaxed about that. If you would have seen me as a player, all what I did out of emotion, it was insane, and I’m a completely normal guy. Nothing else. We will talk about it and then it will be sorted. That’s all.”

On West Brom challenge

Klopp also spoke about the challenge of playing an already relegated West Brom. “Our last three games are really tough from different points of view. I really have to say what Sam did again at West Brom deserves all respect. It didn’t look for a while like that but then not only that they got points – OK, not enough now, we have to say that as well – but the way they played was completely different, made brilliant signings, how he always does,” he added.

“They were really good when they fought for the league. I know and I was in situations like that when all the pressure is off because it’s now decided they will not stay in the league, then that can give you some good feelings, let me say it like this, to express yourself and just play football. That can lead to everything. So we have to be really focused, prepared and strong to make our things happen. How I said, it’s a tricky one.”





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