Klopp: Press officer ‘waited longer than Mignolet’

Matt Stead

Jurgen Klopp is happy Liverpool have qualified for the Europa League knockouts, but has absolved Simon Mignolet of blame for conceding against Bordeaux.

Klopp was not bothered by the mistake by goalkeeper Simon Mignolet – holding on to the ball for 22 seconds – which cost them the opening goal in their 2-1 win when Henri Saivet converted from the free-kick.

Klopp made light of the error, admonishing Liverpool’s press officer in the post-match press conference for allowing too many questions, to which Klopp replied: “You wait this long? He waited longer than Simon Mignolet!”

“The [Mignolet] free-kick…. I am long in this business and never had a time-play after 25 minutes from the team with more ball possession,” he added.

“We got the penalty – there was contact of course – but then we could start anew.

“We made the second goal, a brilliant goal, so I am fine.

“I am very happy to be qualified, the team is happy to be qualified, the club is happy to be qualified so you can be happy to be qualified if you want.

“We are top of the table, which is important but not the most important, so we will try everything when we travel to Sion in two weeks.”