Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp took the opportunity to pull up a Dutch journalist over a controversial interview with former Reds captain Jordan Henderson which went public last month

Jurgen Klopp challenged a Dutch journalist over a “horrible” interview with former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson during his press conference ahead of this week’s Europa League quarter-final with Atalanta.

The Reds will have to negotiate a tricky two-legged tie against the Serie A outfit if they are to advance into the final four of the competition and play the first leg at Anfield on Thursday night ahead of the return fixture a week later.

During his press conference, Klopp was quizzed about the development of two of Liverpool’s Dutch players in Cody Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch – but he took the opportunity to interrogate the journalist in question over an interview with Henderson, who left the Reds in the summer and is now on the books at Ajax.

Jurgen Klopp took umbrage with a Dutch journalist during his Atalanta press conference (Image: Football Daily)

After fielding the question about Gakpo and Gravenberch, Klopp paused before asking: “You’re not the one that interviewed Jordan Henderson are you?”, only for the reporter in question to stress that the interview was done by a colleague rather than him.

Not satisfied, Klopp retorted: “Your colleague, is he a friend of yours?”, to which the reporter responded by saying he only saw the person in question on occasion. Klopp then aimed one final barb at the publication, saying: “Wow! What a horrible interview that was!”

The interview Klopp was referring to was conducted in the aftermath of Ajax’s 2-2 disappointing draw with Fortuna Sittard last month. Henderson, who joined Ajax in January, reacted angrily after he was asked if his performance was his worst since moving to Amsterdam from Al-Ettifaq.

When Klopp was then asked if he didn’t like the interview by the journalist, the spat took another turn. He replied: “Did you know anybody that liked it?” The journalist then insisted he had spoken to his colleague about the manner in which he’d spoken to Henderson, adding he had apologised.

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Klopp stood up for Henderson, who was his captain before moving to Saudi Arabia in the summer (
Image:
Nick Taylor/Liverpool FC)
Klopp responded by saying he would “take that apology on behalf of Hendo” before answering the reporter’s initial question relating to Gakpo and Gravenberch.

Liverpool boast a formidable home record heading into the match against Atalanta and Klopp went on to admit that the Anfield factor can give his team a boost. He explained: “The relationship between the team and the crowd makes the difference. But that atmosphere is based on experience. If we don’t play well, it won’t be the best experience but if we play well, they will get behind us and give us their all.

“We don’t ever take our record or our atmosphere for granted. We know our end of the deal and to get that atmosphere, we have to play our best game. But the fans are super positive and optimistic about the team. And the players deserve that. It is a great place to watch football and I am looking forward to tomorrow night.”