Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has previously shared the reason behind his dislike for a current Premier League midfielder, which stems from an incident during the 2018/19 season.
Klopp surprised many when he chose to leave Liverpool at the end of the 2023/24 season, citing a lack of energy after a demanding year.
One of his final matches in charge was a Premier League game against Tottenham, where goals from Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson, Cody Gakpo, and Harvey Elliott secured a 4-2 victory.
During that match, Klopp crossed paths with James Maddison, formerly of Leicester City — a player he had spoken about in connection with a key moment from 2019.
Klopp’s time at Liverpool was marked by major achievements, including seven trophies, the club’s first league title in three decades, and a sixth Champions League win. However, one painful memory remains.
In May 2019, Manchester City’s Vincent Kompany scored a stunning long-range goal against Leicester, a crucial strike that ultimately helped City edge Liverpool to the title by just one point.
Nearly five years later, Klopp admitted he still holds a playful grudge against Maddison for not closing Kompany down before his shot.
Speaking to Redmen TV in 2024, Klopp recalled: “When Kompany hit that ball, I’m glad I didn’t have a stroke — that’s how it felt. I remember lying on the sofa thinking, ‘Maddison, block him, close him down!’”
He added with a smile: “Since then, I haven’t liked Maddison. I was angry at Brendan Rodgers for not subbing him because he looked tired. Leicester played a great first half, but they should’ve scored. It’s nothing serious, just a personal thing — I’ve got no real issue with him. But when I see him… and now I saw him again last weekend.”
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