‘I understand the anger’ – Jurgen Klopp addresses Liverpool resignation claim and FSG frustration

Jurgen Klopp insists Fenway Sports Group’s backing of a European Super League won’t force him to walk away from Liverpool.

The Reds boss reiterated his opposition to the controversial plans on Monday before and after his side’s 1-1 draw with Leeds, echoing comments he made back in 2019.

Earlier in the day, Liverpool fan group Spion Kop 1906 removed their decorative flags on the Kop in protest of FSG’s plan to have the Reds as one of 12 founding members of the hugely divisive Super League.

Klopp said he understands that stance but believes the removal of the banners only harms the players’ chances of finishing inside the top four in the closing week of the season.

But the Liverpool boss dismissed talk that FSG’s plans would make his step aside at Anfield.

“I understand the fans are angry, absolutely, that is not my problem,” Klopp said. “My problem is the banners are there for the team and that is why I would leave them there.

“We still have a lot to go for in this season and I really think we in the last six years we’ve had to go through a lot and created a great relationship with the team and the supporters.

“I understand the fans want to show their anger, I get that, but we should not forget what I said before, the team has nothing to do with it and in this moment, they take away the support from the team, so that is why I said what I said.

“I am not sure if I am more exposed than ever, because the English system is like this, there is only one voice in the club and that is the manager. It’s different to German and I had a lot of time to get used to it, it’s not new.

“But there will be a moment for sure when our owners say what they have to say, definitely, I am sure.

“I am 20 something years in football and a lot of times in Germany we have CEOs and presidents and owners make decisions without asking me.

“I am used to dealing with that, usually. I don’t want to be involved in these kinds of things, I don’t understand them. I am a football person, how I said. It’s not about letting me down.

“What I say is I am here as a football coach and a manager. I will do that as long as people let me do that, that is how it is.

“It is not the situation. I heard today that I will resign or whatever. The times get even tougher, that makes me stick here even more, so I feel responsible for the team, for the club and for the relationship we have with our fans.

“It is a very tough time for sure but I will try to help them to sort this somehow.”

Sadio Mane ended a nine-game goal drought in the first half before Diego Llorente equalised late on.

It leaves Liverpool in sixth, two points behind West Ham who occupy the final Champions League place.

Klopp added: “It’s both [a good point and a missed opportunity].

“I think it’s a deserved draw, we played a nice first half, scored a good goal, could have scored more, didn’t do that.

“Actually the plan was to play the second half like the first but for some reason that didn’t work out quite well.

“We had big counter-attacking chances which we could have used to finish the game off at 1-0 but Leeds is very intense, they stay intense and became even more in the second half.

“We dropped too deep and gave them too many set-pieces. They had two big chances were Alisson made some sensational saves, so they deserved a point.

“But when you are 1-0 up from early you want to bring it over the line. We couldn’t work that out tonight and that is it.”