The journalist, who faced criticism from Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, has shed light on the sequence of events that prompted the Reds boss to abruptly end an interview.
Klopp stormed out of an interview with Viaplay TV in a fit of anger, unimpressed by comments regarding Liverpool’s energy levels during their 4-3 defeat to Manchester United on Sunday.
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Niels Christian Frederiksen, the reporter in question, disclosed to Tipsbladet that Klopp’s frustration persisted even after the cameras stopped rolling.
“I was very surprised by it, and those standing around were scared, and they were almost pressed up against the wall like: ‘wow, what the hell just happened here?'” Frederiksen revealed.
“It continued after what was seen on TV. He continued down the hallway, where he yelled and screamed at me. I also followed him because I thought it was something strange.
“I was very surprised, while some looked very shocked, and they asked: ‘Are you OK?’ and of course I’m okay. I have interviewed Jurgen many times.
“I don’t know him personally, but I’ve been to Mainz several times when Leon Andreasen and Mohamed Zidan were there, and I have also interviewed him in Dortmund and many times during his time in Liverpool.
“So we don’t have a bad relationship at all. I know that when you’re one of the world’s best coaches, and you have been for years, it doesn’t come if you’re not the world’s worst loser. The premise of being a good coach is that you don’t like to lose and that you are a winner.”
Klopp has faced criticism for his comments that Frederiksen was “not in a great shape”, with many suggesting he was insulting his appearance, but Frederiksen believes a language slip-up saw the true meaning of Klopp’s statement lost.
“No, no, no, that was not at all what he meant,” the reporter said. “First of all, I’m not overweight, and if I were, he would never ever say that. That’s not how Klopp is. It wasn’t meant like that at all. He’s not at all mean. He meant that I was unable and unfit to ask questions. There was nothing else.
“I think it [the interview] was respectful. The important thing when you interview is to listen to what they say and not stare at your papers. He says they lack intensity in extra time, so it was natural to ask why the intensity wasn’t there. They’ve had many injuries, and they’ve complained about the schedule, and I can understand him in that, but he could have just said that.”
Frederiksen added: “I interpret it mostly as an expression of his terrible frustration that they lost to Manchester United in the manner it happened, where they were ahead twice and should have sealed the deal. His dream scenario was to play an FA Cup final at Wembley in his last match in England, and that’s been taken from him now.
“So I can understand he’s super frustrated. Then he got a question he didn’t think was appropriate. It’s been a theme for them that they’ve had many injuries and many matches, which he has complained about. Then he got a question about why they didn’t have intensity in the game, and then he snapped.
“That’s fair enough. I have absolutely no problem with that. There will be absolutely no problems in the future. I can’t imagine that at all. When I interview him again, we’ll still be good friends – professionally speaking. I don’t think he holds a grudge, and I certainly don’t.”
