© Provided by Yahoo! Sports MADRID, SPAIN - FEBRUARY 18: (BILD ZEITUNG OUT) head coach Juergen Klopp of FC Liverpool looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool FC at Wanda Metropolitano on February 18, 2020 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Roland Krivec/DeFodi Images via Getty Images) So Jurgen Klopp wasn't happy with what he viewed as Atletico Madrid's over-the-top defensive approach in Tuesday's 1-0 win over Liverpool in the first leg of their Champions League round of 16 series.
"The whole stadium only wanted a result, the stadium was not here for seeing sensational football They wanted a result and they got the result," Klopp said following the opener in Spain's capital. "I'm not sure if it's 0-0 if that would have changed the game of Atletico tonight."
Klopp also wasn't pleased with Atleti manager Diego Simeone, who he said spent more time riling up the home fans at Estadio Wanda Metropolitano than watching the game. And he didn't exactly love the way the hosts resorted to stalling tactics after getting the only goal they would need, from Saul Niguez, just four minutes into the contest. "I think three Atletico players were already really on the ground and not injured" at one point, he said.
The criticism struck many as rich. As enthralling as the Reds can be, they've also been marked by a ruthless pragmatism under Klopp, especially in European play.
Tottenham Hotspur fans found Klopp's words particularly interesting; more than a few Spurs supporters pointed out that the Reds cynically closed up shop in last season's Champions League final — which was also played at the Wanda Metropolitano — after Mohamed Salah put them ahead from the penalty spot after just two minutes before Divock Origi sealed the win with an insurance goal shortly before the final whistle.
Atletico Madrid also took issue with Klopp's comments. Essentially, they believe he was a sole loser. They're not wrong.
Anyone who follows the global game knows that eking out results against richer and more talented foes has always been the MO of Atleti under Simeone, whose implementation of that style of play has allowed Madrid's other team compete mostly on even terms with far wealthier La Liga rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona. Against the odds, Simeone's signature scheme helped Atletico win the league title in 2013-14 and reach two Champions League finals during the last decade.
Even Klopp had to laud how methodically stingy the hosts became after grabbing the lead early midweek. "The concentration level of the Atletico defense was exceptional," he said. "Yes, they defend with a big heart.
"You try to defend with all you have and that's what they did," he added. "That's absolutely okay, I respect that a lot, but of course it is only 1-0. We are not 5-0 down."
Surely Klopp can be forgiven for not being more gracious in the aftermath of Tuesday's encounter. Of course he wasn't happy. For this is a man who, much like this Reds team build in the German's own image, has simply forgotten what it's like to lose.
Tuesday's defeat marked just the second for Liverpool all season, not counting a reserve team's 5-0 English League Cup rout to Aston Villa in December. Their only other "L" came way back in mid-September, away to Napoli in the opening match of the Champions League group stage. In the Premier League, the Reds haven't lost in well over a year, a run of 43 games, with Arsenal's record of 49 now squarely within their sights.
No wonder then that during his post-match interview, the prevailing emotions etched on Klopp's face were more disbelief and denial than disappointment. Truth be told, he refused to accept that his side had been defeat at all.
"Now it is half-time, we are 1-0 down," Klopp said. "We would not give up if we had 15 minutes of half-time, so why should we give up when we have three weeks? Even better, the second half will be played in a different stadium, in our stadium, and that will be different as well. Atletico will feel that and that's what we are looking forward to."
Along with a win.
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