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Jurgen Klopp is having a very difficult period both on and off the pitch. Last it week it was revealed the manager’s mother had passed away, and he was unable to attend her funeral due to Covid-19 restrictions in Germany.

That put some of his recent irritability into an understandable context, and, rightly so, there’s not been overly harsh criticism of Klopp in recent days. General coverage of Liverpool’s woes this season has of course continued, and that was the case after the weekend defeat to Leicester City.

Given the Reds are currently fourth in the Premier League table, 13 points behind Manchester City despite playing a game more than Pep Guardiola’s side, the title defence is in tatters, and when asked if the attempt is over, Klopp seemed to admit as much and at the same time looked very emotional.

That’s been covered around the world media, and Dirk Kuyt, working for Dutch TV, didn’t like Klopp being asked if the title defence is finished, given the manager’s current personal circumstances.

Dutch website SoccerNews quote him as saying: “His mother has passed away, it is wrong, and then such a question… Then it is difficult to give the correct answer. For example, he has problems with a Sky Sports journalist every time. They are always in conflict with each other.”