In his post-match press conference after Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the Champions League final, Jurgen Klopp claimed "something is going wrong for the other team" when a goalkeeper wins the Man of the Match award.
Los Blancos lifted European football's biggest prize at the Stade de France on Saturday night thanks to a 59th minute winner from Vinicius Jr, but the difference-maker at the showpiece event in Paris was goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
The Belgian shot-stopper made a record-breaking nine saves to help Los Blancos win the trophy for a 14th time. This compilation proves it was one of the all-time great goalkeeping performances.
From pivotal first-half saves to deny Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah, to retaining that narrow 1-0 lead with another wonderful save to stop the Egyptian forward – Courtois almost single-handedly brought the title home to Madrid.
The 30-year-old said after the win that he wants fans to "put respect" on his name after Saturday's Man of the Match performance.
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"I saw a lot of tweets saying I would get humbled," the former Chelsea goalkeeper said. "It was the other way round. "Today I needed to win a final - for my career, for all the hard work, to put respect on my name because I don’t think I have enough respect, especially England. I saw a lot of criticism that I was not good enough or whatever."
Minutes later, in his post-match press conference, Jurgen Klopp said the Champions League final defeat was "harsh" on his side.
The German also pointed out that when the goalkeeper is the Man of the Match, then "something is going wrong" for the other team – a statement that got plenty of fans talking on social media.
He began: “They scored a goal, we didn’t, that’s the easiest explanation in the world of football and it’s hard, harsh to get anyway, [but we] respect that of course.
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"When the goalkeeper is Man of the Match then something is going wrong for the other team, so we had I think three really big chances where Courtois made incredible saves. I would have loved to have had a few more of this calibre.”
Klopp continued: “I think Madrid had one shot on target, is that right? And that was a goal. But, look, I understand 100 per cent and I respect 100 per cent the reason for playing football and having these kinds of competitions is to win the game, and whatever you do – as long as it’s in the rules – it’s allowed and you can do it. It’s completely fine.
"We had to defend as well in moments, just that we blocked the shots or whatever. We played a good game, but when you lose 1-0 you have to admit it was then not good enough.”
Klopp's comments were criticised by many online, with some pointing out that Reds goalkeeper Alisson picked up a 'Man of the Match' performance in this season's FA Cup clash against Chelsea, although Luis Diaz did officially win the award.
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The Brazilian's impressive outing against Spurs in the 2019 Champions League final was also mentioned by fans.
Thoughts on Klopp's post-match comments?
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Let us know in the comments.
Topics: Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, Champions League, Real Madrid
Jack Kenmare