Yahoo News Jurgen Klopp blames Brendan Rodgers and James Maddison for Liverpool title blow
Jurgen Klopp would be walking off into the sunset with two Premier League titles to his name if not for Brendan Rodgers, James Maddison and Leicester City, the outgoing Liverpool boss has joked.
Klopp manages his final match in charge of the Reds this weekend as he calls time on a nine-year reign at Anfield. He leaves having won several major trophies, including a Champions League title, an FA Cup and Liverpool’s first league title in 30 years.
However, it still rankles that he wasn’t able to lift two Premier League trophies. In 2019, the year before Liverpool finally won the division, they were pushing Manchester City all the way to become champions.
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Heading into the final week, Liverpool topped the table, but Manchester City had a game in hand. That spare match was against Leicester at the Etihad Stadium, and was settled by Vincent Kompany’s wonder strike.
Rodgers’ side had kept Man City at bay for 70 minutes, and even had a big chance to equalise through Kelechi Iheanacho late on, but the game ended 1-0 to Pep Guardiola’s men, who then clinched the title on the final weekend. Five years on, Maddison’s lack of pressure and Rodgers’ lack of substitutions remains fresh in Klopp’s mind.
Klopp told The Redmen TV: “The moment when Vincent Kompany fires the ball there, I am really happy I didn't get a stroke in that moment. That's how it must feel. I remember exactly how I was lying on the sofa. I was watching and thinking: ‘ Maddison, Maddison, block him, close him down!' Since then I don't like Maddison.
“And I was angry with Brendan that day because he should have taken him off because he was tired. Leicester played a really good first half. After that, they should have scored. It's just a personal thing, I have no problem with him (Maddison), but when I see him it's always… and I saw him again last weekend.”
Arne Slot will be in charge at Anfield when City face Liverpool next season. They played 19 games in all competitions against Klopp’s Reds, winning five. Only Manchester City beat Klopp’s Liverpool more times among English clubs.
