Klopp on accident and handball
Liverpool suffer bitter shock from broken collarbone
December 24, 2023, 12:14 p.m
Bad news for Liverpool FC: After full-back Konstantinos Tsimikas crashed into Jürgen Klopp during the game against Arsenal FC, he was diagnosed with a broken collarbone. The German coach would like to make amends for the accident – and is struggling with a handball.
Liverpool FC and Jürgen Klopp have avoided a setback in the tight English Premier League title race, but have lost full-back Konstantinos Tsimikas for the time being. The Greek, who collided with his German team manager in the game against Arsenal FC (1-1) on Saturday evening, broke his collarbone.
“The game was massively overshadowed by Kostas Tsimika’s collarbone problem, it’s definitely broken so he’ll be out for a long time,” Klopp said. In the first half, Tsimikas collided with his coach after a challenge with Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka and was then substituted injured. “I would like to give Kostas my collarbone if he were fit again,” said Klopp.
Klopp struggles with handball
In the top game, the league leaders from London with national player Kai Havertz in the starting line-up took the lead early through Gabriel (4th), Mo Salah equalized shortly before Tsimikas was injured (29th). In the second half, LFC missed some good chances, Trent Alexander-Arnold hit the crossbar (72′).
“We should have scored after half-time. Would we have won then? I don’t know, but we had the moments,” said Klopp. His team was also denied a penalty in the first half after a handball from Martin Odegaard. “Yes, I saw it,” explained the coach: “I’m sure someone will come and explain to me why it wasn’t a handball, but I don’t know why.”
The draw leaves the Reds one point behind the leaders, level on points with surprise team Aston Villa (both 39). Both teams also opened the door for defending champions Manchester City, who could shorten the gap to the duo with a win in the catch-up game at Everton FC on Wednesday (9:15 p.m./Sky).