It was like wrestling – Klopp unhappy with Ramos challenge on Salah

Sergio Ramos' challenge on Mohamed Salah was similar to wrestling, according to Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp.

Published : May 27, 2018 09:21 IST

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp compared Sergio Ramos' challenge on Mohamed Salah in the Champions League final to wrestling.

Salah came off in tears half an hour into Liverpool's 3-1 loss to Real Madrid in Kiev on Saturday after hurting his shoulder under a challenge from Ramos.

Klopp was unhappy with the tangle, which the Egyptian Football Association said had left Salah with ligament damage in his shoulder.

"Congratulations to Real Madrid, [it's] not to forget they won the Champions League. Of course it was a big moment in the game," the German told a news conference.

"I know if you say something like that after a game you lost, it sounds like you are a little bit a bad loser but it was, for me, kind of a harsh challenge.

"It's like wrestling a little bit and it's unlucky then that Mo fell on his shoulder."

Liverpool had made a bright start to the encounter, but Madrid took over after Salah came off, with Gareth Bale's brace – after Sadio Mane had cancelled out Karim Benzema's opener – the difference.

Klopp acknowledged the Egypt international's injury had allowed Madrid to take control, while he lamented the way his team conceded as goalkeeper Loris Karius endured a nightmare outing.

"The shock of the boys was obvious, we dropped a little bit deep and Real tried to use that for positive momentum, until we settled a little bit," he said.

"It was quite difficult but 0-0 at half-time, we could adjust a few things – defending half-spaces, which we did before that really well, and then playing more football.

"And then the other decisive moments were the goals; they were quite strange, that's how it is.

"We all know the result is 3-1 Real Madrid and that's why we are not in the best mood obviously."