Simon Jordan has given his own theory on why Jurgen Klopp was so keen to diminish Gabriel Agbonlahor’s comments ahead of his side’s clash with Manchester United.
Klopp is taking his side to Old Trafford on Monday night – a game you can watch live on talkSPORT.
The Reds have taken two points from their two openers so far, drawing against Fulham and Crystal Palace.
Ahead of the battle with their foes, Klopp revealed in his press conference that he nearly phoned talkSPORT, to challenge Agbonlahor in United’s 4-0 thrashing at Brentford.
Agbonlahor, host of talkSPORT’s GameDay conference call with Jamie O’Hara as the Red Devils were sidelined, strongly criticized Erik ten Hag’s side and called them ‘amateurs’.
The Aston Villa legend said: “If I were in their shoes now after this game I’d be thinking, ‘You know what, Ten Hag, pack your bags’.
“He had pre-season and they started the season in shambles, they are like strangers on the pitch.”
And it turns out Klopp was listening.
Asked about United being beaten by the Bees, Klopp said: “It was obviously not a great week for United after the Brentford game. We forget in those moments how good Brentford are. That [the reaction to it] was so bad.
“I went home, I watched the first half here [at the Liverpool training ground]went home and listened to talkSPORT.
“And Gabby… he lost to us 6-0 in my freshman year. I couldn’t remember him as a “mental freak” on the pitch.
“But what he said about United on that show, I was about to call him up and say, ‘You’ve completely forgotten you’ve ever been a player.
“It was amazing. If the ex-players are already going like this, you can imagine how everything else goes.
Simon Jordan has since reacted to Klopp’s comments after the Reds boss’ press conference and believes there is a reason behind his remarks.
“First of all Liverpool are next playing Manchester United so they don’t want any more vitriol poured on Manchester United so they get a reaction from them,” he told talkSPORT.
“Secondly, I think he is getting into his territory by suggesting that it is inappropriate for players to talk about other players, former or current, in a way that is not in keeping with professional respect.
“It is absurd to suggest that anything that comes out of Gabriel Agbonlahor’s mouth is worth listening to.
“With a suggestion that somehow, because he played in the team that was beaten 6-0 by Liverpool once upon a time, Gabby as a player has a lot more insight than people who haven’t played the game.
“He can’t talk about what he saw because it’s sacrosanct in the BS world of football mythology who should talk and who shouldn’t talk.
“And how people should talk about each other, because he was once a player, it’s silly, because people who can give us insight, like what we think are the mental minnows who play for Manchester United – are people who actually got the job done.
Offer of the day
New Customers: Bet365 – Bet €10 Get €50 Free Bets* – CLAIM HERE
All Customers: Betway: £30 Free Bet Match if your first Acca loses* – CLAIM HERE
Bet365: account opening offer. Bet €10 and get €50 free bets for new customers at bet365. Minimum deposit requirement. Free bets are paid out as bet credits and can be used when settling qualifying bets. Minimum odds, betting and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude wagering bet credits. Deadlines and terms and conditions apply 18+ Begambleaware.org
Betway: New UK customers only. Minimum deposit: £5. Maximum free bet: £30. First bet on a football or horse racing multiple with more than 3 selections. Overall rating: 3.00 (2/1) or better. Free bets available upon settlement of the qualifying bet. Debit card deposits only. Restrictions on deposit methods apply. This offer is valid for 7 days from the registration of your new account. 18+. BeGambleAware.org. Bet responsibly. Full terms apply.
SEE ALL FREE BET OFFERS FOR NEW AND EXISTING CUSTOMERS HERE