‘Who does Klopp think he is?’ - Senegal boss calls out Liverpool gaffer

In response to Jurgen Klopp’s recent AFCON comments, Aliou Cisse has questioned the Liverpool coach’s attitude towards the competition.

Senegal manager Aliou Cisse has called out Jurgen Klopp for branding the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) as a ‘little tournament’.

In a press conference last month, Klopp got himself into hot water over his description about AFCON. He did clarify that his comments were misinterpreted, but they still didn’t go down well with Cisse.

The former Birmingham and Portsmouth midfielder has openly questioned Klopp’s attitude towards the competition.

“Who does Klopp think he is?” said Cisse as quoted on the Express.

“I manage Senegal and my players play for Klopp at Liverpool. I respect Liverpool but not Klopp who undermines African football events.”

‘He is where he is today because of African footballers’

Liverpool forward Sadio Mane will report to Cisse’s Senegal team for next month’s AFCON in Cameroon. His Reds teammates Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita will also head to Central Africa, representing Egypt and Guinea respectively.

Naturally, the trio’s departures will cause Klopp problems given their importance for Liverpool.

Cisse continued: “He is where he is today because of African footballers. He was losing every final until Salah, Mane, Matip came to his rescue to win his first-ever major European final.

“Today, he has the guts to call AFCON a ‘small tournament’. AFCON has the same number of participants, 24, as the UEFA Euro. So who does he think he is?

“AFCON will have the same superstars that are currently helping him to shine at Liverpool. AFCON is the same quality as the Euros.”