Liverpool manager Jürgen Klopp is reportedly taking legal action after being accused of making “xenophobic” remarks towards Manchester City and their owners.
The 55-year-old sparked debate after suggesting that “nobody can compete with Man City [in the transfer window]” due to the nature of their ownership, i.e. the financial backing of Sheikh Mansour and the Abu Dhabi United Group.
Senior figures at City are said to have been deeply displeased with his comments, labelling them “borderline xenophobic”, which Klopp has since said couldn’t be further from his character.
Jurgen Klopp responds to claims that his comments on Man City's spending power could be seen as xenophobic.
As you can see in the clip above, Klopp insists this kind of allegation is “miles away from [his] personality” and would “hate” himself if that were the case, arguing instead that it was a simple misinterpretation and not the first time his comments have been lost in translation.
Now, though, as per The Telegraph, the German coach is said to be pursuing a lawsuit over the response from City Football Group (CFG) personnel, though the outlet offered little more detail as to the specifics of each party’s claims and counterclaims.
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Speaking before their 1-0 victory over the Premier League champions on Sunday, he went on to argue that City were able to add the best striker on the market in Erling Haaland to their already world-class and highly expensive team of players “no matter what it cost”.
He also went on to suggest that there are “only three clubs in world football that can do what they want”: City, PSG and Newcastle – all of which are operated by business groups from Gulf nations.
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In the case of Newcastle, now rebuilding after a multi-billionaire investment, their new owners acquired the club with money from Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund: a collection of sovereign wealth taken directly from the state. We’re talking about the might of an entire country’s economy here.
PSG’s setup is similar, with the club operated by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), a group owned by Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir (ruler) of Qatar. City are also owned by Arab royalty in Sheikh Mansour.
While Klopp’s levelled the same comments regarding immense wealth at City, many were quick to point out that his Liverpool team finally won the league after having paid then-record fees for the likes of defender Virgil van Dijk and goalkeeper Alisson. They’ve not exactly struggled for money themselves.
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Klopp has literally signed one of the most expensive defenders, goalkeepers and strikers in the history of football. https://t.co/QSSN74duU1
Admitting after his initial comments that the likes of City wouldn’t appreciate his opinion, Klopp has since reiterated: “I am not sure we have to be best friends with other clubs. I am not sure anybody wants to be best friends with us.”
Nevertheless, whether he thinks his side lost out on certain trophies “because [they] cannot act like [City]” in the transfer market, Liverpool still has the fifth-most expensive squad in the world, let alone the league, valued at approximately £669 million.
Liverpool did lose out to the City at this year’s Ballon d’Or ceremony, though, with Pep’s side taking home the Club of the Year award while Klopp’s men came second ahead of La Liga winners and European champions Real Madrid. Nevertheless, they still managed a domestic cup double last season.
Salford RLFC finally confirm new head and assistant coaches
Danny Jones
Salford RLFC have finally announced their new head and assistant coach picks as the new rugby league season fast approaches.
The Salfordian phoenix club had already confirmed they’d reached provisional pre-contract agreements with a new boss and several players following the news of the consortium bid that kept the sporting institution alive, but now they officially have a new leadership team to get behind.
Following Salford Red Devils’ resurrection by the aforementioned investment group – though it still remains unclear whether this will eventually include a full rebranding – familiar face Mike Grady and his assistant Dave Hewitt are now in place.
They replace ex-boss Paul Rowley, now at St Helens, and his assistant, Kurt Haggerty, who both left in October and September of last year, respectively.
Sharing the news in an official statement on their new Instagram account amid a major overhaul of their online presence, the local side wrote: “We are proud to announce Mike as the new Head Coach of Salford RLFC, joined by Dave Hewitt as Assistant Coach.
“Mike brings over 12 years of coaching experience across club and international rugby, most recently leading the Salford Women’s team and previously coaching at Widnes.
“His appointment marks another big step forward in our rebuild, combining experience, passion and a deep understanding of what Salford rugby league stands for: hard work, resilience and exciting rugby.
“Joining him, Dave Hewitt, former St Helens and England Academy player, will focus on developing our attacking play and nurturing new talent.”
Hewitt also played for Oldham RLFC across three spells, as well as Rochdale Hornets.
As for the board, they sign off by adding: “Together, Mike and Dave represent the energy and belief driving this new era for Salford RLFC.”
With several ‘key announcements’ soon to be made, we can expect a better idea of what the new and hopefully improved Salford will look like in time for their opener against the Roughyeds in the Championship on Friday, 16 January.
It is worth noting that the club have yet to reveal any actual squad signings.
As for co-owner Caton-Brown, who knows all about the club and the community from his several years playing in the area, we have the pleasure of chatting with him first-hand about the vision for their future.
As a result, Pep Guardiola and co. have decided to cut the 20-year-old’s loan spell at Championship outfit Watford FC short to bolster their ranks along the backline.
The Italian journalist gave the reports the ‘Here We Go!’ seal of approval on Monday, 5 January, following confirmation of Gvardiol‘s ankle problem.
“Man City act fast as Josko Gvardiol will now be out for several weeks with injury”, he writes, “and so Max Alleyne returns.”
Himself a bit of a utility player, having also been deployed in defensive midfield on occasion, the Bristol-born youth academy product could prove a useful option in various positions across the pitch.
While Guardiola admitted that the versatile Croatian star’s issue “doesn’t look good” – this being the same ankle he had surgery on back in November 2025 – it remains to be seen how serious his Portuguese teammate’s muscle concern is.
Romano continues: “Alleyne has been doing great at Watford on loan… City informed the London club this morning, even if they’re very happy [with] how they managed Max over recent months. Club-to-club good relationship, City wanted Alleyne in their squad ASAP, and Watford let Max leave today.”
The England prospect has represented his country in every age group from the under-17s to Lee Carsley’s U21 side, and has certainly impressed on the national stage.
Danny Jones -
19th October 2022 
