Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has come under fire for criticising Atletico Madrid’s style of play during their Champions League second-leg clash last week. The La Liga side ran out 3-2 winners after extra-time on a thrilling night at Anfield.
Liverpool were trailing 1-0 from the reverse fixture and knew they had to score in front of their home supporters.
Georginio Wijnaldum netted a header just before half-time to have the tie finely balanced and they headed to extra-time.
Atletico had their backs against the wall and were made to defend deep before super-sub Marcos Llorente scored a brace to steal the win.
Klopp fumed that Simone’s side defended for the majority of the regular 90 minutes but 1974 World Cup finalist Van Hanegem, who also won the Champions League and Dutch footballer of the year, defended the Argentinian’s tactics.
“I am really upset by people who think that everyone should attack completely,” Van Hanegem said.
“Like Jurgen Klopp or later Michael Owen, who spoke disparagingly about Diego Simeone and Atletico Madrid.
“In Madrid they lost against Atletico with many losses and Liverpool have so many points in England that they could have been champions in March. Then you go out to Europe and start to regret Simeone’s style of play.
“What Atletico did at Anfield was beautiful. Also, hadn’t Liverpool got what they were fighting after going 2-0 with the [Roberto] Firmino [disallowed] goal?
“However, Atletico turned out to be able to turn it around. So it’s your own fault. Then stop crying and complaining and congratulate the Spaniards.”
Klopp lost his cool after his side were dumped out of the last-16.
“I don’t understand with the quality they have that they play this kind of football. I don’t understand that,” the German said.
“When I see players like Llorente, Koke, Saul… they could play proper football but they stand deep in their own half and have counter-attacks.”
Simeone replied: “I respect his identity and the quality footballers they have.
“We try to exploit deficiencies in the opponent. That’s what we do. And we try to win.
“What I have to say, and will be saying at the next UEFA coaches’ meeting, is what I think is unfair.
“Today was unjust because we had 30 minutes of extra time to score three away goals. Liverpool never had that. We had 30 more minutes to score an away goal and Liverpool didn’t. That’s not fair.
“The rule favoured us today but it might go against us in the future. Liverpool had 30 minutes fewer to score an away goal. That’s wrong.”
