“Take the bus home”
Klopp warns of top game cancellation due to fan protests
08/21/2022 1:43 p.m
Will the top game between Liverpool and Manchester United be canceled like in May 2021? Fan demonstrations have already been announced. The acidified Reds coach Jürgen Klopp then wants three points even without a game, after all his team has “an incredibly busy season” ahead of them.
In view of the protests announced by Manchester United supporters before the league home game against Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp has spoken out in favor of the Reds getting the three points this time if the game is postponed again. “I really hope it won’t happen. But if it does, we should get the points,” said the Liverpool coach ahead of Monday night’s Premier League clash, adding: “Plans for the game not to take place? Yes , take the bus home.”
Manchester United football fans had already protested against their own club owners in May 2021 before the duel against Liverpool. Red Devils fans had invaded Old Trafford and, among other things, set off plenty of pyrotechnics. The top game then had to be postponed as the first in Premier League history due to fan protests. The conflict between fans and the Glazer family that owns United has been brewing for many years.
“We have nothing to do with it”
Another protest is planned before the game on Monday (9 p.m.). “If the fans don’t want the game to happen then we can’t just rearrange the game and put it somewhere in an incredibly busy season,” added Klopp. “In a situation like that, the other team should always get the points because they have nothing to do with it and have prepared for it. We have nothing to do with it.”
Should the top game take place on Monday, Klopp will have to do without new Liverpool star Darwin Nunez. After being sent off for an assault in the game against Crystal Palace, the €75m attacker was rebuffed by his coach: “He has to learn from it. Unfortunately, he now has three games to do that. It’s not cool for us , but it is what it is,” Klopp said. The fouled Joachim Andersen has meanwhile been verbally abused and threatened on social media, according to his own statements. Taking to Instagram, the soccer pro posted a death threat and abusive messages, writing: “Got maybe 300-400 messages like this last night. I understand you guys support your team but have some respect and stop being so harsh on online .”