The Liverpool boss has received a backlash over questioning the fairness of competing against Man City and their wealthy owners.
Jurgen Klopp has refuted claims that his recent comments about Manchester City were xenophobic.
Speaking before Liverpool’s match against Man City last weekend, Klopp claimed his side couldn’t compete against the Premier League champions due to their financial dominance.
“There are three clubs in world football who can do what they want financially,” the German boss said.
Klopp’s comments were clearly aimed at Man City, Paris Saint-Germain, and Newcastle. However, the former Borussia Dortmund boss says accusing him of xenophobia is the result of misunderstanding.
“I know myself. And you cannot hit with something which is miles away from my personality,” Klopp said ahead of his side’s match against West Ham on Wednesday.
“If I was – I cannot remember the word – like this I would hate it. I would hate myself for being like this.
“I have said a lot of times things that were a little bit open for misunderstanding, I know that.
“It was not intentional, just sometimes you say things and you think, ‘Oh my God, it can be interpreted like this’, but this is not one of these moments. Absolutely.
“It started with a question [about how to compete with City] and I answered it and all the rest was made of it.
“I know what I thought and put it in perspective and said how much I respect what they are doing, and it was still not right for some.”
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