Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, has refused to apologise for his recent comments on the Africa Cup of Nations.
Instead, the German blamed the media for taking his comments out of context.
Klopp recently commented on the fact he will lose Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane, two of his most important players, to international duty when they participate in the tournament in January.
Talking after their 4-0 win against Arsenal on Saturday, Klopp told a press conference: “In January, there’s a little tournament in Africa, England is playing games – South America as well, can’t wait.”
His remarks were met with a backlash, with many accusing him of being disrespectful to African football.
However, Klopp, speaking after Liverpool’s 2-0 Champions League home win over FC Porto, said: “I didn’t mean it like that! I don’t know why you understand it like that. Come on…”
Klopp was then asked to apologise to Africa as a continent, to which he replied: “I didn’t call it a ‘little continent’.
“What I meant was – I said there’s no international break until March. A little tournament in January, I just meant it’s ironic. A big one, we lose our best players for the tournament.
“I am not a native speaker but if you want to misunderstand me, it was not my intention. You made something more of it. That is not too cool.”
