Jurgen Klopp's comments on Manchester City's spending power stem from "frustration" at how good Erling Haaland is, according to Gabriel Agbonlahor
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| Gabriel Agbonlahor says Klopp frustrated by how good Erling Haaland is for Man City |
In a pre match press conference prior to the Reds meeting with Manchester City on Sunday, Klopp had said that no one can match the financial strength of Gulf cities owned clubs such as Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Newcastle.
Liverpool rivals City weren't almost pleased with Klopp's comments, claiming the Merseysiders "have sparked tensions" ahead of Sunday's bitter clash at Anfield ‐ which the visitors later lost 1-0.
Before the game some publication claimed City have said privately they consider Klopp's remarks to be "borderline xenophobia".
Former Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor believes Klopp's remarks are not xenophobic but stem from "the German's frustration over Erling Haaland".
Haaland has lit up the Premier League since joining Man City from Dortmund, scoring 15 league goals in just ten games.
Agbonlahor told talkSPORT Breakfast: "If you look at him, maybe he's frustrated at how good Haaland has done.
“If you look at both squads, Liverpool have been going toe-to-toe with Man City in the last three or four seasons and in the summer Haaland has come to City, Nunez has gone to Liverpool, yes they’ve signed Kalvin Phillips as well, but it’s not as if they’ve bought five or six more players.
“He’s just a bit frustrated with how his team have underperformed.
“Is it more frustration from Klopp at how good Haaland has done and Nunez hasn’t so far done as well.
“I don’t think he was trying to stoke the fire, it’s just a bit of frustration that in future transfer windows he knows he’s not got the money to go and buy Bellingham for £120million.