Jurgen Klopp has apologised for his comments about Real Madrid’s Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.
The 6,000-seater has been playing host to Real whilst the Santiago Bernabeu goes through a renovation period.
One of the games to have taken place there was Madrid’s 3-1 first leg win over Liverpool last week. In the aftermath of the match, Klopp had some interesting remarks about the ground.
“Anfield is at least a proper stadium”
“This here tonight was really strange because it was a difficult situation in the stadium, but Anfield is at least a proper stadium and that will be good for us.” He said at the time.
After a week of headlines about the statement, Klopp issued a follow-up during the pre-match build-up to tonight’s second leg.
“People have made so much noise about that thing,” Klopp said. “I didn’t want to be disrespectful.
“If they think that [Di Stefano] is the stadium they want to play at, that’s completely fine for me. They play there the whole season. I know the situation and that they are renovating [the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu] or I don’t know what exactly they do.
“That’s all fine. But making a story out of what I said is a real joke to be honest.
“If somebody thought I was disrespectful, I am sorry. That was not my intention.”
Either way it all becomes irrelevant tonight when Liverpool attempt to stage another dramatic European comeback at Anfield – a “proper stadium”, in Jurgen’s words.
The Reds will be without their faithful supporters, which in years gone by has helped the side work miracles in the competition.
Anfield can generate an unbelievable atmosphere and it can only be a good thing for Madrid that Liverpool will be without that support.
Featured image credit: Getty
