Diego Simeone explains Jurgen Klopp handshake snub after Liverpool defeat

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Diego Simeone head coach of Atletico Madrid looks to Jurgen Klopp head coach of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool FC at Wanda Metropolitano on October 19, 2021 in Madrid, Spain.

Diego Simeone has defended his decision to ignore Jurgen Klopp following Atletico Madrid's Champions League defeat to Liverpool which left the German boss perplexed.

The Argentine coach watched his side go level thanks to Antoine Griezmann's double following opening strikes from Mohamed Salah via a deflection an a blistering volley from Naby Keita.

However, the game once again swung in the favour of the Premier League side following Griezmann's red card for a high boot, with Salah scoring the winner from the spot.

After the final whistle was sounded by referee Daniel Siebert, Simeone ran down the tunnel without so much of a glance at his rival boss, leaving Klopp noticeably annoyed.

Klopp said: "Yeah I know, just wanted to wind me up, I don’t like that but the situation is clear I wanted to shake his hand, he didn’t want it.

"His reaction was run, mine [reaction] was not to cool as well but we are both emotional so when I see him next time we will shake hands definitely and nothing happened.

"He was obviously angry with me, the game, the world, stuff like this, it’s nothing else."

Simeone has now offered his thoughts on the situation, and argued that he knew he was in a bad mood and decided to get away from the playing surface as soon as possible.

He told reporters: "When I’m angry, I respect the situation.

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Diego Simeone head coach of Atletico Madrid looks to Jurgen Klopp head coach of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League group B match between Atletico Madrid and Liverpool FC at Wanda Metropolitano on October 19, 2021 in Madrid, Spain.

"I have no problem, I just tend to do that when we lose and I’m not happy."

BT Sport pundit Peter Crouch had said of the incident: "You’re so caught up in the game that you forget the VAR moments, the penalties, the sendings off, all the goals we had.

"There was so much drama and not even a handshake at the end of it!

"I’ve got to respect him so much as a manager, Simeone, but I just think during the game, winding the crowd up, winding the players up, I understand it.

"But then not shaking hands at the end, I just think he lets himself down."

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