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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp wrong to give Christian Benteke public 'telling off' say Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy

The German called Benteke over for talks on the St Mary’s pitch after watching his side surrender a two-goal advantage

Samuel Stevens
Monday 21 March 2016 11:21 GMT
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Jurgen Klopp and Christian Benteke discuss the Belgian's performance at Southampton
Jurgen Klopp and Christian Benteke discuss the Belgian's performance at Southampton

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp should not have issued Christian Benteke with a “telling off” on the pitch at Southampton, according to Alan Shearer and Danny Murphy.

The German called Benteke over for talks on the St Mary’s side-lines after watching his side surrender a two-goal advantage to the Saints during an abject second-half with has thrown their top four aspirations into disarray.

“I understand that he's not his player, I don't think he fancies him,” former Newcastle United and England striker Shearer said on Match of the Day on Sunday evening.

“He didn't sign him. I understand all of that but I wouldn't take too kindly If I was a player and he came on to the pitch in front of 32,000 and let his feelings be known.

“No problem if he wants to give him a telling off, or whatever it is, but do it in the dressing room, in the four walls in front of the rest of the players, not in front of all the fans.”

Benteke has often been left on the bench, despite there being no other attacking options, since Klopp replaced predecessor Brendan Rodgers at Anfield in October.

Murphy, who made 170 appearances for Liverpool between 1997-2004, agreed with his fellow pundit, saying the former Borussia Dortmund boss becomes “overly animated” on the side-lines.

The 39-year-old added: “I couldn't agree more, If you're going to give someone a telling off then do it inside. Sometimes he's great, Jurgen Klopp, he's been a breath of fresh air but sometimes he's overly animated on the touchline and it doesn't always go down well with everyone.

“It tells me in the first half in games they're playing with a really high intensity that the players can't maintain over the 90 minutes. It's a very difficult way to play football for a full 90 minutes and maybe he needs a full pre-season.

“He'll bring in a couple of players he knows can play his system with but at the moment they are very Jekyll and Hyde.”

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