Klopp ‘yelled and screamed at’ reporter in off-air bust-up that left people ‘scared’ after storming out of TV interview
JURGEN KLOPP “yelled and screamed” after storming out of an interview at Old Trafford on Sunday, the reporter has claimed.
Danish commentator Niels Christian Frederiksen endured the fiery altercation with the Liverpool manager while conducting a post-match interview following The Reds’ 4-3 defeat to Manchester United in their FA Cup quarter-final.
Working for Viaplay, Frederiksen asked Klopp: “Normally intensity is the name of your game, so how come it became so difficult in extra time?”
The German labelled it a “bit of a dumb question”, before he cited the number of games his team has had to play as one reason for the drop-off.
When Frederiksen then began to ask “So too many games,” he was quickly cut off by Klopp who added: “Oh, you don’t think that? Come on, you are obviously not in a great shape and I have no nerves for you.”
The Liverpool boss walked off camera as he continued: “What is wrong with you? What did you want now?”
At the end of the clip, as Klopp turned his back, Frederiksen replied: “How comes you are so provocative?”
Now the Danish journalist has opened up about what happened once the interview ended.
And he has confirmed Klopp continued to rage at him as he made his way down the hallway.
Speaking to Tipsbladet, Frederiksen said: “I was very surprised by it, and those standing around were scared, and they were almost pressed up against the wall like: ‘wow, what the hell just happened here?’
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“It continued after what was seen on TV. He continued down the hallway, where he yelled and screamed at me. I also followed him because I thought it was something strange.
“I was very surprised, while some looked very shocked, and they asked: ‘Are you okay?’ and of course I’m okay. I have interviewed Jurgen many times.”
Despite the altercation, Frederiksen insists there will be “absolutely no problems” the next time he has to interview Klopp.
He also said he “understands” the Liverpool chief and does not believe he will hold a grudge about the incident.
Frederiksen also defended Klopp after some accused the Reds manager of referring to the reporter’s weight with the comment about him being “not in a great shape”.
The Dane added: “No, no, no, that was not at all what he meant.
“First of all, I’m not overweight, and if I were, he would never ever say that. That’s not how Klopp is.
“It wasn’t meant like that at all. He’s not at all mean. He meant that I was unable and unfit to ask questions. There was nothing else.”