Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has taken a swipe at Gabriel Agbonlahor for his criticism of Manchester United.
The German coach is in the process of preparing his Liverpool team for Monday night’s trip to Old Trafford, with both teams looking to improve on disappointing starts to the 2022/23 season.
It was after the 4-0 defeat to Brentford that Agbonlahor slammed United on talkSPORT radio, saying (quotes via Manchester Evening News): “This is not Manchester United.
“If I was them now after this game I’d be thinking, ‘You know what, Ten Hag, just pack up’. He’s had pre-season and they have started the season as a shambles, they’re like strangers on the pitch.
“They’re just not good enough. Amateur from Manchester United. They’re not United they’re divided, none of them are working for each other. Look at them, they’re like strangers on the pitch.
“It’s a shambles kit, shambles club at the moment.”
Klopp says he was listening to Agbonlahor on the way home from training. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He even recalled a game from February 2016 at Villa Park when Liverpool won 6-0 when Agbonlahor was in the starting line-up.
“For United, you all played your part, and it was not a nice week for United after the Brentford game,” Klopp told reporters on Friday, as per Sky Sports. “We forget in these moments how good Brentford is.
“It was that bad, I watched the first half and drove home, listened to talkSPORT and Gabby…[Agbonlahor] he lost against us 6-0 in my first year, I couldn’t remember him as a mentality monster on the pitch.
“What he said about United on that show, I was close to calling in. I was close to calling in and telling him, you forgot completely what it’s like to be a player. It was unbelievable!
“When ex-players go like this then you can imagine how everything else is going.”
🗣️ "I listened to Gabby Agbonlahor, he lost against us 6-0 in my first year, I couldn't remember him as a mentality monster on the pitch."
Jurgen Klopp says he was close to calling in to TalkSport after hearing the post-match reaction to Man United's loss to Brentford 🤣📞 pic.twitter.com/Q66pbIZEUH
— Sky Sports News (@SkySportsNews) August 19, 2022
Footage courtesy of Sky Sports News
I do understand and even appreciate the berating from Gary, Roy and Co. These were exceptional players that ensured the name Man Utd is revered all over the world. But criticism from bang average former players like Agbo-brainless-lahor, Luke Chadwick, Craig Burley is absolutely comical and even cringe worthy.
Luke Chadwick? Bang average? Just no
Rarely featured in his time at Man United. Sent on loan to Burnley and Reading while at Man United. I’m sorry but he did not exactly set the world on fire.