Manchester United supporters were angered by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp’s assessment of their ‘long ball tactics’ last weekend, and they didn’t forget it.
The German tactician was critical of Jose Mourinho’s strategy, particularly after Marouane Fellaini was brought on and used as an auxiliary striker to nod down long balls.
With his side trailing against Swansea City on Saturday at Anfield, Klopp opted to use the same tactics as he brought on Joel Matip in the dying stages to try and rescue something from the game.
It was a switch that didn’t go unnoticed by United fans, as they slated his hypocrisy on Twitter and pointed out that ultimately, certain situations dictate the need for the long ball as it is the most effective method.
Unfortunately for Klopp and Liverpool, it didn’t work on this occasion as they slipped to a disappointing 3-2 home defeat to Paul Clement’s side, and it could prove to be damaging to their Premier League title hopes.
Having gone into the game trailing Chelsea by seven points, Antonio Conte’s men have yet to play this weekend and therefore could stretch their lead over the Reds further.
In turn, it was a miserable day all round for Klopp, and United fans did their best to compound that misery…
Liverpool gone very long ball in search of an equaliser against Swansea. Klopp has stopped playing football?
— Mkhaddies (@Caddies) January 21, 2017
Klopp throwing on a defender to play as a centre forward less than a week after he had a cry about our long balls. Couldn't make it up ?
— Scott Patterson (@R_o_M) January 21, 2017
Liverpool throwing a big man on and lumping it shows how preposterous Klopp was to moan about that approach.
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawESPN) January 21, 2017
Jurgen Klopp bringing on Joel Matip as a striker a week after criticizing Mourinho for playing long balls.https://t.co/rd52wkFIyO
— Footy Jokes (@Footy_Jokes) January 21, 2017
Klopp criticized Mourinho's 'long ball' tactics. Resorted to send Matip upfront for an equalizer. Matip ain't no Fellaini son! #MUFC
— MouGalacticos (@MouGalacticos) January 21, 2017
While Mourinho did use long balls to break Liverpool down, he succeeded. Klopp has lost 3-2 to Swansea after putting Matip on as a striker.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) January 21, 2017
The people saying Klopp's a hypocrite for playing Matip up top? He did it in minute 94 – it wasn't a half-time change for goodness sake.
— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) January 21, 2017