Jamie Carragher has dismissed Manchester City’s bizarre claim that Jurgen Klopp’s recent comments were xenophobic.
The German strategist claimed that Pep Guardiola’s side are one of three clubs that ‘can do what they want’ in terms of finances ahead of Liverpool’s 1-0 defeat of the Premier League champions at Anfield on Sunday and when asked about City’s xenophobic accusation of the former Borussia. The Dortmund manager was quick to explain that his comments had been “misunderstood”.
The former Reds defender believes the Etihad squad have ‘sunk to the level of Twitter idiots’ with their accusations of xenophobia.
“Go to social media and the resentments expressed between fans are toxic and boring,” he wrote in his column for the Telegraph (via Daily Mail).
“Every club has an unwanted minority that will occasionally let them down, either by engaging in disgusting chants or throwing objects. They don’t represent an entire fan base.
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“After a game that should have been celebrated as the best the Premier League has to offer, a line was crossed last weekend when Jurgen Klopp was accused of xenophobia.
“With that briefing, City descended to the level of idiots on Twitter.”
Klopp has reportedly taken legal action in response and we certainly think he has more than one strong leg to stand on this time.
Claims of xenophobia, a term defined as “a strong feeling of dislike or fear of people from other countries” in the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, appear to be a clear attempt to divert attention from the poor human rights record and attempts of sport wash of all the Group of Soccer of the City.
Carragher also revealed that Manchester City once denied David Silva an interview and accused the Citizens of ‘paranoia’.
“Over the years I have used my platform on Sky Sports and in this column to show my respect for the City managers and players. Last week I wrote that De Bruyne could be the greatest midfielder in the Premier League, and said that Haaland terrifies defenders,” our former No. 23 said.
“Before David Silva left City, I wrote that he was one of my favorite players in the Premier League. He wanted to interview Silva before he left English football, mindful of City’s belief that their rivals receive more favorable media coverage.
“When informed of my application, City’s response was that they would not grant me such an interview because ‘I am wearing red pom-poms’. All the former players in the media want their team to win, but no other club has reacted to me in this way.
“Let me repeat what I think of the champions.
“Manchester City have the best manager in the world, the best striker in the world and they are the best team in the world.
“It is a pity that, despite all the cutlery, they have little ear for such praise.”
It’s refreshing to see someone come out and speak passionately about what a serious situation it is: Klopp has been wrongly accused of xenophobia and we hope his legal team will make that abundantly clear.
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