Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has started a spat with Gary Neville over the former Manchester United regarding the fallout from the European Super League proposals.
In the immediate aftermath of the then-unconfirmed plans, Neville on Sunday pointed to United and Liverpool for criticism for their involvement and Liverpool’s ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ anthem.
“I’m disgusted with Manchester United and Liverpool the most,” he said on Sunday. “Liverpool say they’re the people’s club, ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’, the fan’s club.”
Ahead of tonight’s 1-1 draw at Elland Road, Leeds players angered Klopp during the warm-up by wearing shirts emblazoned with the slogan “Earn It” under the Champions League logo, and putting shirts in the away dressing room.
Klopp was asked about the shirts and soon pivoted on to Neville’s criticisms.
"They put shirts in our dressing room," he said. "I don't think it is right. I don't think we deserve that as a team. I don't like that.
"A lot of people are talking about Liverpool. They might not like what is come up - but we cannot blame the team for that. I take the criticism if we don't play well, so do the players, but there is nothing we can do.
"People are shouting at us. You have to be a bit careful. We are people as well. It is an emotional situation.
"Gary Neville speaks about 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. That should be forbidden. We have the right to sing our anthem, it is ours not his. He doesn't understand it, anyway. It is not fair. I understand all the talk that is around but I don't talk about other clubs and you should not.
"I would wish Gary Neville would be in a hot seat somewhere and not everywhere where the most money is. He was at Man United where the most money is. Now he is at Sky where the most money is. Damn them to hell? He says that, he writes to that today? This is not okay.
"Our owners are great people, serious people, good people, reasonable people. It is not my decision. We are employees. I am a bit responsible for the relationship between the team and the supporters. It is not about me it is about the boys. I am a grown up man. We can react emotionally but we have to speak about it too."
Neville responded immediately on Sky Sports, being asked if he should stop mentioning 'You'll Never Walk Alone.
"Why," he said, adding; "I don't know why I am living in his head to be honest with you. I have no idea what he is on about. I employ 600 people and tried to keep them in a job in a pandemic.
"He is spiky, he has been let down. He cannot say what he wants to say but I can. The Klopp that I know, he hates everything about this. He has been let down by owners. And so have his players."
Jamie Carragher weighed in, making clear his views on where the fans' allegiances lie.
"If Klopp left Liverpool over this, Liverpool support would have those owners out within a week," he said. "They would rip that stadium down.
"That man is the most powerful man at Liverpool football club."
