Liverpool's Klopp says rival fans will continue to target breakaway clubs

The Super League would have guaranteed big income to teams involved. But fans and other clubs said it would throw domestic leagues out of competitive balance and damage the sport.

Published : Apr 24, 2021 11:56 IST

Klopp on Leeds players and fans targeting opposition to Liverpool's Super League participation on players: It wasn't deserved but...Liverpool is much more than this and that's what I want to make sure.
Klopp on Leeds players and fans targeting opposition to Liverpool's Super League participation on players: It wasn't deserved but...Liverpool is much more than this and that's what I want to make sure.
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Klopp on Leeds players and fans targeting opposition to Liverpool's Super League participation on players: It wasn't deserved but...Liverpool is much more than this and that's what I want to make sure.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp expects the abuse from rival supporters over the club's involvement in the failed European Super League competition to continue when crowds return to stadiums in future.

Klopp said neither he nor his players knew about plans for the Super League - of which Liverpool was one of six Premier League clubs to sign up for before withdrawing. The proposal collapsed earlier in the week amid widespread criticism.

The proposed Super League would have guaranteed hundreds of millions of dollars a year in income to teams involved. But fans and other clubs said it would throw domestic leagues out of competitive balance and damage the sport.

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Before Liverpool's 1-1 Premier League draw against Leeds United at Elland Road on Monday, a plane flew overhead trailing a banner saying "say no to superleague" while the Merseyside team's coach was greeted with fans venting their anger.

"Of course, fans are like this. It's not about fair play... I'm pretty sure supporters of Leeds who were showing up at the stadium, running after us knew we (players and coaching staff) weren't involved but they didn't care," Klopp told reporters.

"Yes, it'll be even worse when people are back in stadiums. It started already in Leeds. The Leeds supporters wanted to show us, as a team, they were shouting at us that we were greedy. What? What are you talking about?

"But that's exactly the situation we all create. They need to find somebody they can put their attention on...in this case it was us. It wasn't deserved but...Liverpool is much more than this and that's what I want to make sure of."

Liverpool hosts Newcastle United later on Saturday.

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