Liverpool fans are convinced that new manager Arne Slot has aimed a subtle dig at legendary boss Jurgen Klopp just months after replacing him at the helm.
The Reds travel to Selhurst Park on Saturday to face Crystal Palace in their final Premier League fixture before the second international break of the season starts next week.
Ahead of the match, manager Slot spoke to the media to preview the match and give his thoughts on the season so far.
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But after watching the press conference, Liverpool fans believe that one comment made by the head coach may be a subtle dig at club legend Klopp.
After nine years in charge at Anfield, Klopp left at the end of last season and was replaced by Slot in July.
The German manager was generally held in high regard by the media, but became infamous in his final years at the club for his hatred of the Saturday 12:30pm Premier League kickoff.
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And, speaking ahead of this weekend's match, Slot appears to have aimed a dig at Klopp's disliking of the early kickoff, saying: "If 12:30pm was a difficult time to perform then I am a stupid manager because I train every day at midday!"
While Slot is clearly joking and referring to himself as being stupid for his indifference to the time, some fans still believe he was taking aim at Klopp with the comment.
Reacting to a clip of the moment online, one fan wrote: "Straight bullet to someone we know but I’m not gonna call a name."
While another added: "Klopp won’t like this."
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And one joked: "Stepdad has come in and started changing traditions ffs."
In one of his final press conferences as Liverpool manager, Klopp didn't hold back when speaking about the early kickoff time and TNT Sports, the broadcaster who has the Saturday 12:30 slot.
Speaking in May, he joked: "I was actually waiting for Amnesty International to go to them. I would like to be part of that meeting when someone says ‘Liverpool 12:30’ and the whole room is bursting into laughter.
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"In the whole world we have the quickest turnaround between games, that's absolutely insane.
"I had a discussion only the other day with colleagues from our favourite TV channel which I will definitely not watch again, TNT."
Topics: Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp, Arne Slot, Premier League, Crystal Palace, Football
Ben McCrum