Ex-Liverpool star Hamman gives humbled response to scathing Klopp rant

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Former Liverpool midfielder Didi Hamann has responded to Jurgen Klopp’s well-publicised press conference rant this week. Klopp tore into his compatriot when asked to address criticism of his side, with some theorising that his antics indicated a manager that’s feeling the heat. 

Having gone close to an unprecedented quadruple last season and let Sadio Mane go during the summer, Liverpool are now far more inconsistent. Eight games into the Premier League season, they sit 10th in the table after winning just twice. 

They may also have to settle for second spot in their Champions League group, despite a resounding win over Rangers on Wednesday night, with Napoli leading the way after winning four from four and looking imperious in the process. 

The Reds’ downturn in form prompted Hamann to point out his former side’s lack of ‘spark’ – a comment backed up by another Reds hero, Jamie Carragher. 

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When asked to address the comment, a spiky Klopp responded this week: “Who said that? Didi Hamann? Oh great. A fantastic source, well respected everywhere. [Being a former Liverpool player] does not give you the right to say what you want, especially when you have no idea.

“I actually think Didi Hamann does not deserve that you use his phrase to ask a question. Try to ask without using the word spark.” Many were surprised by how Klopp reacted to comments made by a countryman and a former Red, who made almost 300 appearances during his seven-year spell on Merseyside. 

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In the lead-up to Liverpool’s clash with Rangers, Hamann was given an opportunity to respond to Klopp’s scathing rant. “I was asked my assessment last week,” he explained to Sky Germany.

“That’s why I don’t want to comment on the statements made by the Liverpool coach. He must know that. I don’t know why he reacts like that. I’m already over it. It’s about the matter for me – it’s obvious that there are problems at Liverpool.” 

The Reds will have a golden opportunity to put those ‘problems’ to bed in a crunch clash against fellow Premier League heavyweights Manchester City on Sunday. 

Pep Guardiola’s Sky Blues have been in sublime form, despite a 0-0 draw with Copenhagen in midweek, with 15 goals scored in the three games preceding their trip to Denmark. 

Klopp decided to drop Mohamed Salah and Diogo Jota from the starting line-up against Rangers, but he claimed that the decision wasn’t strictly down to the upcoming City clash. “It’s not with half an eye on the weekend,” he told BT Sport. “It’s just we just have to realise that we’re in the middle of a very busy period. We cannot force the boys through, we have to make changes.”

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