‘It’s just not OK’ – Mikel Arteta had to be held back from Liverpool manager to prevent touchline fight
Jurgen Klopp hailed the referee after a heated touchline scuffle with Mikel Arteta at Anfield. The two managers clashed during Liverpool‘s win over Arsenal in November 2021 and it forced those around them to intervene and calm tensions. Klopp and Arteta had to be held back during a furious touchline scuffleGetty Images - Getty Both managers were booked during Liverpool’s win over Arsenal in 2021AFP - Getty Arteta had been angered by a challenge on Takehiro Tomiyasu by Sadio Mane half an hour into the match. The Gunners boss’ reaction prompted a melee in front of the dugouts as both managers screamed at each other. Referee Michael Oliver booked Klopp and Arteta for their antics, which livened up the Anfield crowd after a quiet start to the match. The increased atmosphere immediately transferred onto the pitch as Mane opened the scoring just minutes later. Klopp’s side went on to cruise to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Arteta’s visitors. After the match, the Reds boss told Sky Sports: “It was about the situation that it was absolutely no foul from Sadio but the Arsenal bench went up like it was nearly a red card. “And I asked what did they want in that situation, because I really cannot get that anymore. “We had to take Sadio off against Atletico Madrid [in the Champions League] because Atletico went only for that and wanted him to get a yellow card, and then I have to take him off and all these kinds of things, and it’s just not okay. “The referee did really well in that situation – I deserved a yellow card. It’s no problem at all. But it was really about that thing. “If it was a harsh challenge we are all like this, but it was nothing, he didn’t even touch him, it was just two players going up in the air. And [Arteta’s reaction] was not okay and that is what I said.” Arteta had been enraged by a challenge from Mane on TomiyasuGetty Images - Getty Klopp claimed Arteta’s reaction was ‘not ok’Getty Images - Getty Asked if the incident had fired up the home crowd, Klopp added: “I don’t know, I’ll have to watch it back – if that was the case I’ll do it more often! “Of course that’s not possible, you can’t act like this, it just happened in the moment.” Arteta, meanwhile, played down the cause of the confrontation when asked at full-time, replying: “Nothing. I think he was defending his team and I was defending my team. That’s it.” As for whether his reaction to the tackle worked against Arsenal, he said: “I don’t know, I think the atmosphere was extraordinary right from the beginning and this crowd doesn’t need much, so I don’t think it made a difference. “Yes I did [speak to Klopp after the match] and I congratulated him. These moments are left on the pitch.” Arsenal visit Anfield once again on Sunday with Arne Slot’s side already crowned Premier League champions. View Tweet: https://t.co/2q7XYTwo3e The Gunners can secure Champions League qualification with a victory if results elsewhere go their way. However, they will have to overcome Arteta’s poor record away to Liverpool. His only victory at Anfield in six visits came on penalties in the Carabao Cup in 2020. Meanwhile, he has drawn two and lost two of his four league trips to Liverpool. The Reds also head into the match on a 15-match unbeaten home run in the Premier League. You can get your money back as a Free Bet if one leg lets you down on 2 qualifying football ACCAs today with Ladbrokes. Head to Ladbrokes.com to build your ACCA.Terms:KT – 18+. UK&ROI. Online & Mobile. From 14.11.24. Min odds apply. Straight line ACCAs only. Max 1-3 Free Bets back up to £/€10 if 1 selection fails per customer/day. Max 1-3 up to £/€50 at boosted odds per customer/day. Restrictions and T&Cs apply Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chase their losses Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
Jurgen Klopp hailed the referee after a heated touchline scuffle with Mikel Arteta at Anfield.
The two managers clashed during Liverpool‘s win over Arsenal in November 2021 and it forced those around them to intervene and calm tensions.
Arteta had been angered by a challenge on Takehiro Tomiyasu by Sadio Mane half an hour into the match.
The Gunners boss’ reaction prompted a melee in front of the dugouts as both managers screamed at each other.
Referee Michael Oliver booked Klopp and Arteta for their antics, which livened up the Anfield crowd after a quiet start to the match.
The increased atmosphere immediately transferred onto the pitch as Mane opened the scoring just minutes later.
Klopp’s side went on to cruise to a comfortable 4-0 victory over Arteta’s visitors.
After the match, the Reds boss told Sky Sports: “It was about the situation that it was absolutely no foul from Sadio but the Arsenal bench went up like it was nearly a red card.
“And I asked what did they want in that situation, because I really cannot get that anymore.
“We had to take Sadio off against Atletico Madrid [in the Champions League] because Atletico went only for that and wanted him to get a yellow card, and then I have to take him off and all these kinds of things, and it’s just not okay.
“The referee did really well in that situation – I deserved a yellow card. It’s no problem at all. But it was really about that thing.
“If it was a harsh challenge we are all like this, but it was nothing, he didn’t even touch him, it was just two players going up in the air. And [Arteta’s reaction] was not okay and that is what I said.”
Asked if the incident had fired up the home crowd, Klopp added: “I don’t know, I’ll have to watch it back – if that was the case I’ll do it more often!
“Of course that’s not possible, you can’t act like this, it just happened in the moment.”
Arteta, meanwhile, played down the cause of the confrontation when asked at full-time, replying: “Nothing. I think he was defending his team and I was defending my team. That’s it.”
As for whether his reaction to the tackle worked against Arsenal, he said: “I don’t know, I think the atmosphere was extraordinary right from the beginning and this crowd doesn’t need much, so I don’t think it made a difference.
“Yes I did [speak to Klopp after the match] and I congratulated him. These moments are left on the pitch.”
Arsenal visit Anfield once again on Sunday with Arne Slot’s side already crowned Premier League champions.
The Gunners can secure Champions League qualification with a victory if results elsewhere go their way.
However, they will have to overcome Arteta’s poor record away to Liverpool.
His only victory at Anfield in six visits came on penalties in the Carabao Cup in 2020.
Meanwhile, he has drawn two and lost two of his four league trips to Liverpool.
The Reds also head into the match on a 15-match unbeaten home run in the Premier League.
You can get your money back as a Free Bet if one leg lets you down on 2 qualifying football ACCAs today with Ladbrokes. Head to Ladbrokes.com to build your ACCA.
Terms:
KT – 18+. UK&ROI. Online & Mobile. From 14.11.24. Min odds apply. Straight line ACCAs only. Max 1-3 Free Bets back up to £/€10 if 1 selection fails per customer/day. Max 1-3 up to £/€50 at boosted odds per customer/day. Restrictions and T&Cs apply
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org
- Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
- For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
