A waste of time - Klopp baffled by media questions ahead of Champions League tie

Ahead of a key Champions League tie, Jurgen Klopp was baffled to find reporters asking the Liverpool boss about a range of unrelated topics.

Published : Sep 25, 2017 22:59 IST

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was left bemused as reporters in Russia repeatedly failed to discuss the game
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was left bemused as reporters in Russia repeatedly failed to discuss the game
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was left bemused as reporters in Russia repeatedly failed to discuss the game

Jurgen Klopp derided his pre-match Champions League news conference as "a waste of time" after being asked a series of questions unrelated to Liverpool's meeting with Spartak Moscow.

Both Liverpool and Spartak drew their opening game in Group E and face each other in Moscow on Tuesday, but Klopp was left bemused as reporters in Russia repeatedly failed to discuss the game.

The questions ranged from a specific query on his analysis of a goal Spartak had conceded in a previous match to whether the Liverpool boss loves his players after Mauricio Pochettino professed his adoration for Tottenham's Harry Kane.

Raising his eyebrows at the latter question, Klopp responded: "I am really impressed that we are at a Champions League press conference talking about things like this.

"I really don't understand the business anymore."

There had been confusion involving the translator throughout proceedings, spiking when Klopp eventually answered: "I love Harry, too."

He clarified: "Actually, that's not important for Russia. It's just an English thing. Pochettino loves Kane - and who do I love? That's the question. It's a waste of time."

Klopp had at least been able to discuss the merits of facing a Spartak side who are likely to be missing star man Quincy Promes, comparing the situation to Liverpool's recent slump in the absence of Sadio Mane.

"[Promes] didn't play in the last game because he was injured, but Quincy is a very good player," he said. "He has speed, he is good in one-on-one situations.

"Of course that's a weakness for each team - it is like we played the last three games without Sadio Mane, also a very good player.

"He is not the only good player in the Spartak team, but he is a very good one. It always affects performances, but we will not win because one player is out or Spartak will not win because one player is in."

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