‘People are not happy, I can understand it’: Jurgen Klopp responds to European Super League plans

Liverpool are one of 12 clubs signed up to a new breakaway competition

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp understands why people are unhappy with plans for a breakaway European Super League.

Liverpool are one of 12 leading European clubs who have committed to joining a new competition that will begin as soon “as soon as is practicable”.

Three more major clubs are set to join the initial dozen with proposals for what will become a 20-team midweek tourmament that will rival the Champions League.

The remaining members of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ - Manchester City, Chelsea and Arsenal - as well as Real Madrid, Barcelona and Atletico Madrid from Spain and Juventus, Inter Milan and AC Milan of Italy have also signed up.

2021 semi-finalists Paris Saint-Germain are yet to do so with Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and FC Porto committing to not taking any part.

Klopp has spoken previously about his opposition to any sort of Super League proposal and he claims that that remains his position.

“My feelings didn’t change. My opinion didn’t change,” he said ahead of the Premier League game with Leeds on Monday evening. “I heard for the first time about it yesterday. I was trying to prepare for a difficult game.

“We got some information, not a lot. Most of the things in the newspapers. It’s a tough one. People are not happy with it, I can understand it.

“I can’t say a lot more because we were not involved in the process - not the players, not me - we didn’t know about it. We will have to wait how it develops.”

Liverpool are in a race for Champions League football with a number of other teams battling for one of the qualification spots.

Klopp wants that competitivenes to remain.

“I’m 53. Since I’ve been in professional football, the Champions League has been there. My aim was always to coach a team there. I have no issues with the Champions League,” he added.

“I like the competitive aspect of football. I like that West Ham might play in the Champions League. I don’t want them to because we want to but I like they have the chance. What can I say? It’s not easy.

“What I want to say as well, I’ve heard a few things but what I really don’t like, Liverpool football club is much more than some decisions. The most important part of football are the supporters and the team. We have to make sure nothing gets between that. I’ve heard there are banners but the players didn’t do anything wrong. We have to all stick together. We can show nobody has to walk alone in these moments. There are things to sort but nothing to do with the football or the relationship between the supporters and the team.

“In tough times you have to show you stick together. It doesn’t mean you have to agree with everything but again the boys did nothing wrong. I want to make sure everyone knows that.

“I understand it. I am in a different position. I don’t have all informations. I don’t know exactly why the 12 clubs did it. I know some things will change with football in the future. Some things have to change in football that is for sure. 

“Usually you have to prepare these kinds of things, it takes time.”