Jurgen Klopp has blasted Gabby Agbonlahor after the ex-striker branded Manchester United “amateur” following their 4-0 defeat against Brentford.
Despite a magical pre-season tour of Australia and Thailand, Erik ten Hag has failed to keep the momentum going. It seems the remnants of their sixth-place finish last campaign still clouds the air over Carrington, as the players have gotten off to a difficult start.
The result triggered a mass response from fans and pundits across the footballing world. One in particular, who made his feelings known, is none other than ex-Villa forward Agbonlahor.
The former England international told talkSPORT: “If I was them [United] 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. [David] De Gea must know that [Christian] Eriksen has got a man behind him. Use your brain, and you don’t give it to him. Man City wouldn’t even give it to Rodri in that position.”
He continued: “If I was Gary Neville now at half-time [commentating for Sky Sports], I’d throw the white towel in and say, ‘Alright, it’s 4-0. I can’t take any more’.
“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.”
Although some agreed with his quotes, the Liverpool manager took exception.
Jurgen Klopp slams Gabby Agbonlahor
Speaking to Sky Sports, the German responded: “It was obviously not a nice week for United after the Brentford game. We forget in these moments how good Brentford are. It [the reaction to it] was that bad, I drove home after watching the first half here [at the training ground], and I listened to talkSPORT and Gabby [Agbonlahor].”
Klopp then slammed the former Aston Villa man with a savage put-down.
The 55-year-old said: “He lost against us 6-0 in my first year, so I couldn’t remember him as a mentality monster on the pitch then. But what he said about Man Utd in that show, I was close to calling in and telling him: ‘You forgot completely that you were a player’.
“And if ex-players go already like this, you can imagine how everything else is going. You have to ask yourself how you want to react in a situation like this.”
Gabby Agbonlahor responds to Jurgen Klopp
In an apparent direct response to Jurgen Klopp and his comments, Gabby Agbonlahor posted a photo on Twitter.
It shows the former Villa forward celebrating his side’s 1-0 victory at Anfield in 2014.
He captioned the post: “Flashback Friday – mentality to win 1-0 at Anfield.”
Featured Image Credit: Getty
