Jurgen Klopp aimed a dig at Man Utd and Erik ten Hag. (Image: GETTY)
Jurgen Klopp aimed a parting dig at Manchester United and Erik ten Hag for the treatment of Jadon Sancho during his Liverpool goodbye last night. The now-former Reds manager said a final farewell to supporters on stage at an event in the city and couldn't help landing a jab on their bitter rivals.
Klopp won just seven of his 21 games against United throughout his nine-year reign at Anfield, drawing nine of them and losing on five occasions.
He could only beat Ten Hag's side once over the last two seasons, although that was the memorable 7-0 mauling on Merseyside in March 2023.
The other four clashes resulted in two draws and defeats apiece, three of which occurred this term to derail his farewell tour on the pitch.
Liverpool looked like Premier League title challengers heading into the final few months of the campaign but were held to draws by United home and away.
The Red Devils also crushed his FA Cup dreams, winning 4-3 in an instant classic at Old Trafford in the first-ever quarter-final between the two foes.
Rival supporters have unsurprisingly been revelling in Klopp's departure, considering it ends a successful decade in which a Premier League and Champions League headline his trophy haul.
And the German couldn't help but fire back at United when discussing his man management, a crucial trait for sustained success at any club.
Jadon Sancho returned to Borussia Dortmund in January. (Image: Getty)
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Klopp appeared to accuse United and Ten Hag of giving up on Sancho before sending him back to Borussia Dortmund on loan in January.
"If the whole world loses trust and faith in the player, then the manager has to be the one behind the player," Klopp told the crowd in Liverpool.
"I cannot just buy into that 'he's useless' stuff - like other clubs did, by the way. Buying a player for £80million and then sending him out on loan!"
United splashed £72m to sign Sancho in 2021, but he has struggled to make an impact, registering 12 goals and six assists in 82 appearances.
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The 24-year-old had a public row with Ten Hag at the start of the season after effectively claiming the Dutchman lied when explaining his absence at the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal.
The explosive social media post and Sancho's refusal to apologise for his actions led to a four-month exile from first-team training at Carrington.
Dortmund offered him an escape route, and Sancho has helped his former club reach Saturday's Champions League final against Real Madrid at Wembley Stadium.
He isn't expected to have a future at Old Trafford if Ten Hag remains in charge beyond the summer. Even if the 54-year-old departs, United look set to attempt to cash in.
