Klopp replies to Fernandes’ antics that anger Liverpool in their defeat to Manchester United

In a 2-1 loss, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp criticized Manchester United for wasting time after he had a disagreement with Bruno Fernandes.

Klopp was seen in conversation with Fernandes at full-time at Old Trafford, having earlier clashed with the midfielder in the closing stages of United’s 2-1 victory as Liverpool’s frustrations grew with the home side’s apparent time-wasting tactics. Salah had wanted to hurry after scoring late, but Fernandes prevented him from grabbing the ball from the net.

We lost 2-1 because time ran out. The watch ran down without any football,” Klopp told Sky Sports. In his post-match press conference, he added of his clash with Fernandes: “It wasn’t heated. It was the most harmless conversation I’ve ever had with such an emotional player as me! That was the situation with central defender [Lisandro] Martinez when he fell [too easily]. He [Bruno] spoke to me and said, ‘You would do the same thing’, but I said no I can’t fall like that Everything was fine after the game he told me he needed those kind of conversations during the game and that’s when I said to him well use -me !”

BIGGER PICTURE: Klopp’s frustration is understandable given his side’s poor performance. The Reds suffered their first league defeat in eight months thanks to goals from Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford, with Mohamed Salah’s consolation goal offering little consolation. Liverpool ends day 16 in the Premier League table without winning the campaign in the first three games.