Antonio Conte has said Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp must learn to handle his emotions better after accusing him of seeking an "alibi" by criticising Tottenham's style after earning a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

Saturday's result was a major blow to Liverpool's hopes of regaining the Premier League title and Klopp voiced his frustration afterwards saying "I don't like this kind of football" when referring to Spurs' counter-attacking approach, while adding it is a "game-plan [which] works for these games but they're still fifth."

Klopp rowed back from that position on Monday, claiming it was "wrong" but Conte had his say when facing reporters on Tuesday ahead of Thursday's north London derby against Arsenal.

"We analysed the game the day after and for sure if there was a team that deserved to win and had the chances created to win, it was Tottenham not Liverpool," Conte said.

"I think Klopp understood that he gained one point, not lost two points. At the same time, I think Jurgen is an intelligent person, he is very clever, he was a bit frustrated after the game. But at the same time, that for a top coach, for every coach it is important to learn that after the game, be focused on your team, not on your opponent.

"If you focus on your opponent, it means you want to find an excuse or an alibi because your job didn't [go] well or something was wrong."

Conte admitted maintaining composure after matches was also something he still had to improve upon, citing the immediate aftermath of February's 1-0 defeat at Burnley in which he questioned his own future.

"Honestly, for the coach it's not simple, it's not easy after the game," Conte said.

"You have to try to keep a cool head. If you remember this season I was disappointed for a bad result and I was disappointed with myself, with my players. When we lost against Burnley and, if you remember, I gave myself the fault about the defeat.

"Sometimes we are a bit frustrated, especially when you arrive at the end of the season and you understand that a bad game and a bad result can change the target for you. But, I repeat, I have great respect for Jurgen and I know that he respects me a lot. This is a good chance for him, 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 situations where you can maybe do better. You speak about your own problems."

Thursday's game was rearranged from January after Arsenal requested a postponement under the Premier League's COVID-19 protocols despite having just one case at the time, in amongst a raft of other issues including injuries and players away at the Africa Cup of Nations.

Although Conte reiterated that the decision was "very strange" and "unfair," he was more critical of Tottenham's hierarchy for agreeing to a Thursday-Sunday scheduling this week, with Spurs set to kick-off against Burnley at 2 p.m. this weekend.

"If I complain about it, I'm like other coaches in the past," he said. "You remember when [Arsenal boss Mikel] Arteta complained about this type of situation and I said coaches shouldn't complain. Now could be my turn to complain because to play on Thursday night and then again the first [Sunday] game, you could play on Sunday and wait and give us the last game and a bit more rest.

"It's difficult sometimes to accept Premier League decisions, but if the club accepted it I have to. A top club has to pay attention to the fixtures. Before the game you don't think this situation can cause you this type of trouble, but afterwards you realise it could affect the result and you are angry and it's too late.

"You need to be angry before. The club has to pay more attention. If you want to win you have to take care about all the details because the details move the final result."

Source:
courtesy of ESPN

by James Olley

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