Category: Premier League

He also suggested that the two sides’ respective fixture load played a part in the result, and that – in his view – it highlighted why Liverpool’s push for an unprecedented quadruple this term has historically been so difficult to achieve.

Klopp, who saw Luis Diaz cancel out Heung-min Son’s second-half opener, said: “I’m sorry I’m the wrong person for that [defensive football], I don’t like this kind of football. But that’s my personal problem.

“I think they [Spurs] are world-class, and I think they should do more for the game. I think the game against us they had 36, 38 per cent possession [35% was the reported figure].

“But it’s my problem. I cannot coach it. So that’s why I cannot do it. So yes, world-class players block all the balls, really difficult. Fine, whatever. fine, absolutely fine. I just can’t.

“I respect everything they do, but it’s not me.

“That is why it is so unlikely, there is a reason nobody has done it in this country.

“I would love to sit here and say [Manchester] City will drop points but I can’t see it. I wish I would think differently about it but I can’t see it. But we will see what happens.”

Spurs boss Conte revealed he had focussed on his team’s defensive rigour in the lead-up to the game, and hinted that to set up a more expansive team would take time.

He said: “I asked my players to be good defensively and we didn’t concede any chances to Liverpool and conceded a goal with a deflection.

“At the same time I asked our players to play with the ball and we couldn’t, Liverpool pressed as they do in every game. But I think the draw was fair.

“Jurgen has done a fantastic job, in seven years they have won a lot and he has created a monster in a good way. He has to be satisfied. But to do that you need the time.

“In November [when Conte took over] not many people thought Tottenham would be competing for a place in the Champions League.”

He also suggested that the two sides’ respective fixture load played a part in the result, and that – in his view – it highlighted why Liverpool’s push for an unprecedented quadruple this term has historically been so difficult to achieve.

Klopp, who saw Luis Diaz cancel out Heung-min Son’s second-half opener, said: “I’m sorry I’m the wrong person for that [defensive football], I don’t like this kind of football. But that’s my personal problem.

“I think they [Spurs] are world-class, and I think they should do more for the game. I think the game against us they had 36, 38 per cent possession [35% was the reported figure].

“But it’s my problem. I cannot coach it. So that’s why I cannot do it. So yes, world-class players block all the balls, really difficult. Fine, whatever. fine, absolutely fine. I just can’t.

“I respect everything they do, but it’s not me.

“That is why it is so unlikely, there is a reason nobody has done it in this country.

“I would love to sit here and say [Manchester] City will drop points but I can’t see it. I wish I would think differently about it but I can’t see it. But we will see what happens.”

Spurs boss Conte revealed he had focussed on his team’s defensive rigour in the lead-up to the game, and hinted that to set up a more expansive team would take time.

He said: “I asked my players to be good defensively and we didn’t concede any chances to Liverpool and conceded a goal with a deflection.

“At the same time I asked our players to play with the ball and we couldn’t, Liverpool pressed as they do in every game. But I think the draw was fair.

“Jurgen has done a fantastic job, in seven years they have won a lot and he has created a monster in a good way. He has to be satisfied. But to do that you need the time.

“In November [when Conte took over] not many people thought Tottenham would be competing for a place in the Champions League.”

He also suggested that the two sides’ respective fixture load played a part in the result, and that – in his view – it highlighted why Liverpool’s push for an unprecedented quadruple this term has historically been so difficult to achieve.

Klopp, who saw Luis Diaz cancel out Heung-min Son’s second-half opener, said: “I’m sorry I’m the wrong person for that [defensive football], I don’t like this kind of football. But that’s my personal problem.

“I think they [Spurs] are world-class, and I think they should do more for the game. I think the game against us they had 36, 38 per cent possession [35% was the reported figure].

“But it’s my problem. I cannot coach it. So that’s why I cannot do it. So yes, world-class players block all the balls, really difficult. Fine, whatever. fine, absolutely fine. I just can’t.

“I respect everything they do, but it’s not me.

“That is why it is so unlikely, there is a reason nobody has done it in this country.

“I would love to sit here and say [Manchester] City will drop points but I can’t see it. I wish I would think differently about it but I can’t see it. But we will see what happens.”

Spurs boss Conte revealed he had focussed on his team’s defensive rigour in the lead-up to the game, and hinted that to set up a more expansive team would take time.

He said: “I asked my players to be good defensively and we didn’t concede any chances to Liverpool and conceded a goal with a deflection.

“At the same time I asked our players to play with the ball and we couldn’t, Liverpool pressed as they do in every game. But I think the draw was fair.

“Jurgen has done a fantastic job, in seven years they have won a lot and he has created a monster in a good way. He has to be satisfied. But to do that you need the time.

“In November [when Conte took over] not many people thought Tottenham would be competing for a place in the Champions League.”