Published on 7 Nov 2022 11:48 am (UK Time)
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp reacquainted himself with Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Ivan Perisic when they came face to face on Sunday (November 6th) which saw Liverpool take all three points from the game courtesy of a double from Mohammad Salah.
Klopp managed Borrusia Dortmund from 2008 to 2015 during which he signed Ivan Perisic from Club Brugge for €5 million in the summer of 2011. The Croatian International had an eventful first season as the club won the domestic double however things didn’t go as per plan for the 33-year-old as he was awarded limited game time in his second season which raised a lot of questions about his role at the club.
Perisic had accused the former Borussia Dortmund manager of favoritism. During an interview with NovaTV, the Croatian talisman fumed at the lack of game time he was given while donning the BVB jersey (via Liverpool Echo).
“I cannot be pleased with my situation at the club. I don’t get a lot of time on the pitch, very much like last year. The atmosphere in the team is perfect, but it is as if he (Klopp) has something against me. He has three to four players with whom he discusses things, shares his opinions and his thoughts. The rest of us are pros, doing their job.”
In response to the comments made, Jurgen Klopp immediately rebuked them.
“I heard a few statements, and it’s nothing dramatic. I already know Perisic is not happy; it would be strange if he was. That is a fact and perfectly normal. It’s not the first time this has happened, and that’s normal. But the timing of the statement is not okay.”
“A professional footballer is unhappy when he is not playing. But if he shuts his mouth afterwards, his chances are good; it will get better. Public whining belongs to kindergarten, not to the world of adults. You shouldn’t do that.”
“If he doesn’t play, a football professional should shut his mouth, work hard and make the coach select him – not complain about it to the reporters. If he then keeps his mouth shut, it is better for him at the end. Complaining in public is childish.”
The Croatian international’s strained relationship with Jurgen Klopp was one of the most main reason’s why the winger was offloaded during the winter transfer window. In 2013 Wolfsburg splashed €8 million to land the star and during his two-year spell with them he racked up 18 goals in 70 appearances. After two years he was again on the move and this time he signed for Inter Milan for a transfer fee of €16 million, during his six-year stint with them he managed to make 254 appearances for the club where he found the back of the net 55 times.
After his time at Inter Milan, he joined Bayern Munich on loan where he made 22 appearances for the club. Bayern had the opportunity to sign him permanently however they refused to make a permanent move hence he returned back to his parent club Inter Milan.
His contract with Inter Milan ran out by 2022 and with the club not offering him a new contract a move away from San Siro was about to materialize. As Tottenham Hotspurs were the frontrunners for the Croatian’s signature, they were successful in signing him for free.
