He also declared that fatigue was the reason for Cesc Fabregas’ late challenge on new Liverpool signing Ragnar Klavan. The apology, Klopp admitted, was accepted straight away.
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Speaking on the incident, Conte said: “I’m sorry for this and the player is the same”. I thought it maybe made sense for him to fly home to Liverpool. Perhaps against Chelsea in this friendly, we’ll see some early improvements from last season.
‘He plays in the same position as me and I would like to play as his partner in the middle of the pitch for Serbia.
These two teams have a big history and although this one won’t be remembered in years to come, it marks the start of an important journey into the highly-competitive 2016-2017 Premier League season.
“A game against a good opponent is a good game and I’m very curious to see my team against Liverpool”. But I am pleased. And when we played with ten men we did not suffer despite one man less.
“But now I know he is a player of Boca Juniors and he did a lot back in Argentina last season and I wish the best for him and his family”. There was a good attitude.
Unfortunately that joy ride came to a crashing halt, running square into Chelsea’s double-decker parked bus in an ugly 1-0 loss to their familiar Premier League foe in sunny Pasadena, California. I got there late, he got a toe to the ball and then I was anxious to win the ball. I don’t think we’ll have a lot.
There will was little goalmouth action in the second half as the referee took centre stage by flashing his yellow cards out for some meaty challenges from both sets of players. “He didn’t have the game under control”. “At the end of the day it’s a friendly”.
But the manager had more positive news on the fitness of defender Matip, who has been sidelined with an ankle problem. He allayed fears, however, that Klavan had joined the injured list.
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When asked if Sakho would be fined, Klopp said he preferred alternative methods of punishment as he seeks a considered and calm outcome to the dispute.
