Jurgen Klopp was left baffled by a journalist’s question about Real Madrid star Vinicius Junior.
Klopp’s Liverpool side are hosting Madrid at Anfield in the Champions League round of 16 first-leg tie on Tuesday night.
Ahead of the match, Klopp was being questioned by journalists during his pre-match press conference but was left stunned by a question about Madrid star Vinicius.
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The reporter asked whether Vinicius brings abuse on himself due to ‘an aspect of his game that is sometimes provocative, that creates some reaction’. You can watch the exchange below.
Klopp was baffled and said: “That he is doing something on the pitch that could cause it? There is nothing in the world that could justify that. Imagine if I say yes, that would be completely insane.”
The Liverpool boss went on to praise the Brazilian and labelled him as world-class.
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Klopp added: “He was that night [Champions League final] - with a really young age - didn't get fazed by the way the game went, how they were not always dominant and stuff like that.
“He was there in the decisive moment, I'm pretty sure that already makes him a Real Madrid legend at a very young age. I hope he's not fazed by any idiots who say something about him.”
Fans also reacted to the bizarre question on social media.
One said: “As if a journalist actually asked Jurgen Klopp if Vinicius Jr’s actions on the pitch justified the abuse he gets from week to week.”
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Another tweeted: “Bottom of the barrel stuff this. Should be ashamed of himself for even asking that. Probably say it's not him it’s reported he's heard but it's him that asked no excuse.”
A third fan added: “Fair play to Klopp. Absolutely ridiculous question.”
Vinicius condemned the vile abuse he received in September, he wrote: “As long as the colour of the skin is more important than the brightness of the eyes, there will be war. I have that phrase tattooed onto my body.
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“I have that thought permanently in my head. That is the attitude and the philosophy that I try to put into practice in my life. They say that happiness bothers others. The happiness of a victorious black Brazilian in Europe bothers them much more... I repeat it for you, racist: I will not stop dancing.”
Featured Image Credit: ©UEFA 2023Topics: Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool, Vinicius Jr, Real Madrid, Champions League, Football