Conte Responds To Klopp's Criticism Of Spurs Approach
Antonio Conte says Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was simply looking for an excuse when he criticised Tottenham Hotspurs' defensive approach to last weekend's 1-1 draw between the two sides.
Conte put a dent in Liverpool's title hopes with a gutsy display at Anfield much to Klopp's frustration.
The German boss remarked afterwards: "I'm sorry I'm the wrong person for that, I don't like this kind of football."
"But that's my personal problem. I think they're world class, and I think they should do more for the game.
But Conte has opined that Klopp's outburst was simply out of frustration just as most managers do when results do not go their way.
"Honestly, for the coach it's not simple or easy after the game. You have to try to keep a cool head. It's not easy or simple sometimes," Conte said at a news conference on Tuesday.
"If you remember this season it always happened to me, when I was disappointed after a bad result, like against Burnley.
"Sometimes we're a bit frustrated, especially when you arrive at the end of the end of the season and you understand a bad game and result can change the target for you.
"I repeat, I have great respect for Jurgen and I know he respects me a lot. This is a good chance for me and all the coaches to learn that during the game you never speak about your opponents.
"It's important to be focused on your team and the moments you can do better. And your own problems.
"Jurgen is intelligent, he was a bit frustrated after the game. At the same time, for us, for a top coach, it's important to be focused on your team, not your opponents.
"To be focused on your opponents means you want to find an excuse or alibi because it means something in your job was wrong.
"After the game against Liverpool, the good answer I had like my players was we were disappointed at the end because we had the possibility to win the game," he said.
"We analysed the game the day after, and for sure if there was a team that deserved to win, it was Tottenham not Liverpool. In this game, I think Klopp understood he gained one point not lost two points."
Conte added: "Anyone who knows me, knows very well I want to win every game. I try to transfer this thought to my players. For sure, when I stay in one team, in a club, my aspiration and desire is to fight to win the title.
"To win the league in England is not easy. [Pep] Guardiola said Liverpool won one league in 30 years. It shows it's not simple. Maybe sometimes it's easier to win Champions League or Europa League than the league in England, where you have to face monsters."
