Klopp rejects Van Dijk’s criticism as Germany goal ‘completely legitimate’

Jurgen Klopp dismissed Virgil van Dijk’s criticism of Germany’s equaliser in their 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in Amsterdam, insisting he had “no guilty conscience” over the incident.

The Netherlands captain described Felix Nmecha’s goal as a “disgrace” after Germany continued playing while Dutch forward Brian Brobbey was down injured. But Klopp, speaking to reporters after the opening match of the Nations League, said the goal was entirely valid.

“Of course it was not a disgrace. The goal was completely legitimate, and I have no guilty conscience,” Klopp said.

“If it had happened to us, I would have told my players to carry on playing.”

Klopp argued that the responsibility for stopping play lies with the referee rather than the players. He also said Germany were right to continue their attack, particularly because they were defending at the time.

“The rules say that it is the referee who stops the game, not the players,” he said. “Especially when you are on the defensive side, you have to keep playing. They did not do that and we used the situation very well with an excellent attack.”

Germany made the most of the opportunity, with a well-delivered cross and intelligent movement allowing Nmecha to find space before finishing into the net.

“There was a good cross, good movement and Felix was in exactly the right place,” Klopp added. “Then he put the ball into the net.”

The Germany manager rejected Van Dijk’s description of the incident as a scandal, while acknowledging that the Netherlands defender had reacted in the emotion of the moment.

“It was certainly not a scandal,” Klopp said. “But when you are affected by the emotions of the moment, you are allowed to say anything.”

The match ended level after Cody Gakpo equalised for the Netherlands in the second minute of second-half stoppage time. The Liverpool forward finished after receiving an excellent pass from substitute Ruben van Bommel.

Klopp praised the assist with a joke about the substitute’s family, saying: “I have to say it was a great pass from Van Bommel. He did not get that skill from his father, Mark van Bommel. He must have learned how to use the outside of his foot from his mother.”

The draw came in Klopp’s first match in charge of Germany. It also marked the start of a new era for the Netherlands under Xavi Hernandez.