Liverpool have taken legal steps against a number of publications over media claims their manager Jurgen Klopp may have been 'borderline xenophobic' in his observations over Manchester City’s spending power.
Sunday’s Premier League meeting between the teams, which Liverpool won 1-0 at Anfield, was marred by a number of controversial incidents including chants from City fans referencing the Hillsborough and Heysel tragedies.
Liverpool issued a statement condemning the offensive chants, but City have yet to publicly comment on the actions of their supporters.
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Meanwhile, one national media report after the game alleged City sources had claimed Klopp’s pre-match comments were 'borderline xenophobic'. The club’s owners are based in Abu Dhabi. Liverpool have refused to comment on the matter.
However, the ECHO understands The Times is one of two publications to have been contacted.
A Times piece initially published online on Monday has been edited and now carries this update: "This article is the subject of a legal complaint from Jürgen Klopp and Liverpool FC".
Speaking on Tuesday, Klopp dismissed any suggestion he is xenophobic and insisted his comments on the spending power of clubs such as City and Newcastle United were understood.
He said: "I know myself and you cannot hit me with something that is miles away from my personality.
"If I would be like this - I actually can't remember the word (xenophobic) - I would hate myself for being like this. A lot of times I say things that are open for misunderstanding, I know it, but it's not intentional.
"Sometimes you say things and then later you realise 'oh my God! that could be understood [differently]' but this is not one of those times. It was not.
"Obviously not all of you journalists see it the same way. Some chief writers see it differently. It's an open world, obviously and we can have different views. That is how it is, so nothing else to say."
After the game at the weekend, Anfield officials released two statements - one concerning the "vile chants" from City fans and another regarding alleged coin throwing at Pep Guardiola from the home end.
On Monday, City also alleged their team coach was attacked on its way back to Manchester but have yet to release a statement on any of the flare-ups throughout the day. Merseyside Police are looking into a number of "reported incidents" from Sunday, with "further enquiries ongoing" over alleged criminal damage of the City bus.
Klopp has also been charged by the Football Association for improper behaviour in relation to an incident that saw him sent off during the clash.
The Reds boss has been found to be in breach of FA Rule E3, for his actions in the 86th-minute. Klopp reacted angrily to a foul by Bernardo Silva on Mohamed Salah that was missed by the officials, proceeding to shout in the face of the assistant referee.
The ECHO has contacted The Times for comment.
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