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New Germany boss Jürgen Klopp was quick to push back against criticism of his team from former player Virgil van Dijk following Thursday's draw with the Netherlands.
Only six players have ever featured more frequently under Klopp than Van Dijk, who was a cornerstone of the former manager's trophy-laden Liverpool sides in previous years. The two found themselves on opposing sides on Thursday, however, when Klopp's Germany faced a Dutch team with Van Dijk anchoring the backline.
The match ended level after Cody Gakpo, one of several Liverpool players in the Dutch squad, netted a stoppage-time equalizer that Van Dijk believed should have sealed the victory. The 35-year-old labeled Germany's decision to continue play despite an injury to Brian Brobbey — and subsequently score through Felix Nmecha in the 32nd minute — a "disgrace."
Klopp has historically been a vocal supporter of Van Dijk in the press, but with his loyalties now shifted, he had some pointed words for his former player.
"It certainly wasn't a disgrace," he fired back. "The goal was entirely legitimate. I have no guilty conscience about it. And I would have one if it weren't legitimate. I would have taken it regardless, but I would have felt guilty. I don't."
"I would have told my players to keep going [had the situation been reversed]. They didn't. And we capitalized on it with a truly outstanding move. Brilliant cross, great run. Felix was exactly where he needed to be — and he buried it."
"It certainly wasn't a disgrace, but when emotions are running high, things get said in the heat of the moment."
Did Van Dijk Have a Point?
While modern convention may suggest players should put the ball out of play when someone is injured, the reality is that no such written rule exists. It falls under the referee's discretion, with suspected head injuries being the only scenario that would mandate a stoppage.
"For another 100 years it will remain a misconception that fans expect the ball to be played out," Klopp emphasized, "but players are actually instructed to keep the game going."
New Netherlands manager Xavi suggested his players were misled by the sight of referee Alejandro Hernández Hernández with the whistle in his mouth, causing some of them to stop, though he did attempt to ease the tension.
"It was not a big deal, either," the former Barcelona coach acknowledged.
Likewise, Germany midfielder Joshua Kimmich suggested Van Dijk's comments came from the frustration of a disappointed teammate rather than a rational reading of the rules.
"I don't think that was a considered response from him," Kimmich said. "The referee stops play, particularly when a player suffers a head injury. It is the referee's job to assess whether the player is seriously hurt.
"I didn't hear a whistle, so the game continued entirely correctly."