Jurgen Klopp has rejected criticism from his former Liverpool players Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo over Germany's controversial goal in their UEFA Nations League clash with the Netherlands.
The match at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday evening ended 1-1 after Gakpo scored a volley in additional time to earn the home side a draw. Germany had taken the lead in the 33rd minute when, with Netherlands striker Brian Brobbey down injured near the halfway line and Van Dijk appealing for the ball to be put out of play, Klopp's team continued and Felix Nmecha scored.
Former Reds players criticise 'unsporting' goal
The incident sparked a confrontation between players from both sides, with Van Dijk, who had earlier had a goal disallowed for a foul by Brobbey at a corner, particularly unimpressed.
"First they turn back and then they continue anyway," he said. "We think that ball should have gone out, but it didn't. It was unfortunate."
Gakpo said of Germany's goal: "We consider that unsporting. There is no reason for it; I think it’s standard practice to kick the ball out when someone is down on the ground. They decided not to do that - it wasn't sporting - and that’s what made things heat up a bit."
Klopp defends decision to play on
Klopp, however, took a different view and objected to a claim from former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart on Dutch TV that referee Alejandro Hernandez's decision to allow the goal was a "gross disgrace".
"It certainly wasn't a disgrace," he said. "The goal was completely legitimate. I don't have a guilty conscience. And I would have one if it weren't legitimate. I would have taken it anyway, but I would have had a guilty conscience. I don't have one."
Asked what he would have done if the roles had been reversed, Klopp added: "I would have told my players that they had to keep playing. They didn't. And we took full advantage of it with a really excellent move. Great cross, great run. Felix was where he needed to be – and he smashed the ball in."
Netherlands coach blames referee
Netherlands coach Xavi blamed Hernandez, saying: "The problem was that he put the whistle in his mouth but didn't blow it. And then (Joshua) Kimmich continued playing. But it's not a big problem."
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch started the game for the Netherlands, while Jeremie Frimpong remained on the bench. The Dutch are next in action on Sunday in Serbia.
Klopp's first game in charge of Germany proved popular in his homeland, with almost 11 million people tuning in to watch live on television. German news outlet Bild said: "Despite the draw, fans can only have been impressed by the intensity of Klopp and his players, even if it wasn't enough for their first three points in the Nations League."
Elsewhere, Kostas Tsimikas created the winning goal for Greece in their 2-1 victory in Serbia, while Lewis Koumas started for Wales in their 1-0 loss at Portugal. Ronald Araujo was replaced midway through the second half of Uruguay's 3-1 friendly defeat in Japan, and Academy midfielder Erik Farkas played 76 minutes for England under-18s, helping force one of the goals in their 3-2 win over Colombia in Switzerland.
