Sports
Revealed: What really happened between Jurgen Klopp and Xherdan Shaqiri immediate aftermath of Liverpool’s loss to Chelsea
Jurgen Klopp was left furious with Xherdan Shaqiri at full-time following Liverpool’s defeat to Chelsea and was spotted shouting at the winger on the pitch.
The German was clearly agitated by something his summer signing had done and angrily gestured at the Swiss ace.
To add further fuel to Klopp’s rage, Eden Hazard had struck an awesome winner just moments earlier as Chelsea came from a goal down to knock Liverpool out of the Carabao Cup.
Klopp’s actions were spotted by many viewers who took to Twitter asking why he was so angry.
The Liverpool boss soon explained his actions in his post-match press conference.
Klopp revealed he was angry because Shaqiri let Jordan Hendseron take a free-kick in a threatening position in the last minute of the game.
The 28-year-old attempted to dink the ball over the wall for his team-mates to attack but ended up over-hitting the set-piece and wasting Liverpool’s last chance of the game.
The Liverpool boss wanted Shaqiri to take the free-kick so he could play in Mohamed Salah from wide and was left incensed by his decision making.
Klopp’s exchange with the 26-year-old ended in a particularly frosty manner.
What Klopp said to Xherdan Shaqiri after Liverpool’s Carabao Cup exit
Jurgen Klopp has confirmed his disagreement with Xherdan Shaqiri was over a late free-kick.
Liverpool were dumped out of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night after a 2-1 defeat to Chelsea at Anfield.
After the final whistle, TV cameras showed a visibly frustrated Klopp disagreeing with Shaqiri on the pitch, reports the Liverpool Echo.
And the Reds boss has revealed he was discussing an injury-time free-kick he believed could have been played differently as his side pressed for an equaliser.
“I spoke about a free-kick – the last one,” said Klopp. “Mo was standing wide and a whole bunch of players were in one the direction where we shot the ball.
“If he could have played in Mo on a one-on-one situation in the last minute of the game it would have been not too bad. It was only about the free-kick, nothing else.
“But at 1-0, Shaq was completely alone in the box and maybe you will have to ask him why he didn’t shoot in that situation.”
After a poor first-half display, Liverpool – sporting eight changes from the team that beat Southampton at the weekend – went ahead through Daniel Sturridge’s 58th-minute volley.
Sturridge had earlier missed a glorious chance, and the Reds were made to pay for other spurned opportunities when Emerson and substitute Eden Hazard struck for Chelsea in the final 11 minutes.
“We had the chances, of course,” said Klopp. “It was a difficult game for both sides, for us unfortunately because I have said before we have a specific style of play and you need to get used to it.
“Minute by minute, we get more used to it. Even at the start when we left too many spaces and they could play between the lines, we already had bigger chances.
“We weren’t really a big threat but the more and we got used to it, the first half was good. The second half started well, we scored the goal and could have scored before.
“We played much calmer football which we could have done first half. Against such a dominant side like Chelsea, in the moment you have then ball then you need to dominate them.”
Summer signing Fabinho made his full Liverpool debut, while Simon Mignolet, Dejan Lovren, Alberto Moreno and Nathaniel Clyne were all handed their first starts of the campaign.
And Klopp said: “We had five players on the pitch with their first start of the whole season. I am really happy that they had the game now they are really back.
They got the rhythm in the game. We learned during the game and controlled it much better.
“We were 1-0 up, could have scored a second, hit the crossbar, but then they scored the goal after the free-kick which was unlucky as the foul and the goal weren’t clear.
“(After the equaliser) Chelsea had the momentum in the game but I don’t think we showed a bad reaction.
“But then Eden Hazard came in and scored a wonderful goal. Hazard was on the run but of course we could have defended it better.
“It was really quick and in the box, Eden Hazard, full speed, it’s not easy. That’s how it is and we didn’t have enough time to strike back.”
Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Gini Wijnaldum and Andy Robertson were not in the matchday squad and Klopp said: “A couple of the players who were not involved are not 100% fit.”
Captain of the Super Falcons, Rasheedat Ajibade, has said the team is determined to become the best women’s football team in the world.
Ajibade spoke yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a reception hosted by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in honour of the Falcons following their victory at the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco.
The Nigerian ladies clinched their 10th continental title after a hard-fought campaign, further cementing their status as Africa’s most successful women’s team.
Ajibade, in an emotional speech, said the team’s goal goes beyond continental glory.
“We’re not content to rest on our laurels. Our vision is bold. We want to become the best women’s football team in the world,” the Atletico Madrid star said.
She described herself as “a proud daughter of Nigeria” and paid tribute to the dreams of young girls across the country who look up to the team.
“This victory is not just a trophy. It is a testament to the unyielding spirit of Nigeria. It is a celebration of every young girl in our villages, towns, and cities who dares to dream,” she said.
Ajibade, who spoke on behalf of the team, coaches, and technical crew, thanked the Federal Government for its support and appealed for continued investment in women’s football.
President Tinubu, in his address, conferred national honours of Officer of the Order of the Niger (OON) on all 24 players and the 11-member technical crew.
The President also approved the allocation of three-bedroom apartments to each team member under the Renewed Hope Housing Scheme and a cash reward of the naira equivalent of $100,000 for each player, while members of the technical team received $50,000 each.
He praised the Falcons for lifting the nation’s spirit and inspiring unity through their performance.
“You have inspired millions, especially young girls who now see proof that their dreams are valid and achievable,” Tinubu said.
“You have inspired me too. You represent the hope of today, tomorrow, and the day after. You ignited that hope. And we will continue to encourage you and the next generation.”
The President said the Falcons’ WAFCON victory was not just a sporting feat but a symbol of the courage, discipline and resilience that define Nigerians.
“Your victory represents more than a sporting accomplishment. It is a triumph of courage, determination, discipline, and consistency,” he said.
The reception was attended by top government officials, sports administrators, and stakeholders in the football community.
A member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Aderemi Oseni, has congratulated the Super Falcons on their historic 3-2 comeback victory over hosts Morocco in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations on Saturday.
The Falcons, who came from two goals down to seal the win in Rabat, clinched their 10th WAFCON title—further cementing their status as the most successful team in the history of the competition. Reacting to the victory, Oseni described the performance as “a warrior’s triumph that speaks volumes about the indomitable Nigerian spirit.”
In a statement issued by his media aide, Idowu Ayodele in Ibadan, the lawmaker representing Ibarapa East/Ido Federal Constituency said the team’s resilience should serve as a symbol of hope and unity for the entire nation. “They refused to surrender. That comeback from two goals down defines who we are as Nigerians—strong, focused, and unstoppable when united,” he said.
The Falcons had gone behind in the 13th minute when Morocco’s Ghizlane Chebbak capitalised on a loose ball to fire past goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie. The hosts doubled their lead through Sanaâ Mssoudy before halftime, putting Nigeria on the back foot before the break.
However, second-half goals from Esther Okoronkwo, Folashade Ijamilusi, and Jennifer Echegini turned the game on its head, securing victory for Coach Justin Madugu’s side and avenging their 2024 semi-final loss to the North Africans. Oseni also hailed Madugu’s tactical brilliance, describing him as “the architect of a new chapter in women’s football in Nigeria.”
The lawmaker who also chairs the House Committee on Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) joined other national figures, including President Bola Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, in celebrating the Falcons. The President had earlier taken to his verified social media accounts to praise the team’s performance, declaring, “Mission X: Complete!” while Sanwo-Olu, Governor of Lagos, described it as a flawless display of Nigerian spirit.
Oseni urged the Falcons not to rest on their laurels but to build on the momentum ahead of their title defence and the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. “This is just the beginning. You have inspired millions of girls across the continent. Keep flying the flag and keep making Nigeria proud,” he added.
He also called on sports authorities and private stakeholders to invest more in women’s football, noting that the team’s success was proof of the untapped potential in the sector. “We have global stars in the making. Now is the time to give them the platform and support they truly deserve,” the lawmaker submitted.
Nigeria’s Super Falcons produced a thrilling comeback to defeat hosts Morocco 3-2 in the final of the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) on Saturday, clinching their record-extending 10th continental title.
The win was sweet revenge for Justin Madugu’s side, who were eliminated by the Atlas Lionesses in the semi-finals of the previous edition.
Despite a bright start by the Falcons, it was the Moroccans who struck first in the 13th minute. A loose ball fell kindly to tournament top scorer, Ghizlane Chebbak, who rifled her effort past Chiamaka Nnadozie to hand the hosts an early lead.
Nigeria tried to respond through Ijamilusi Folashade, but her tame effort was easily gathered by Moroccan goalkeeper, Khadija Er-Rmichi.
The hosts doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Fatima Tagnaout released Sanaâ Mssoudy, who drove into the box and fired a low, left-footed strike beyond Nnadozie to make it 2-0.
Morocco maintained their advantage into the break as both sides went into the dressing room with the scoreline firmly in the hosts’ favour.
The Super Falcons returned with renewed purpose in the second half, stepping up their intensity and putting the Moroccan defence under sustained pressure.
Nigeria nearly pulled one back when a collision between Er-Rmichi and defender Nesryne El Chad almost gifted the Falcons a goal, but the Moroccan defence cleared their lines in time.
The pressure eventually paid off in the 63rd minute when a ball hooked back into the area by Ijamilusi struck the arm of defender Nouhaila Benzina, resulting in a penalty. Esther Okoronkwo stepped up and calmly converted from the spot to halve the deficit.
Eight minutes later, Okoronkwo turned provider, sprinting down the right flank before cutting back a well-timed pass for Ijamilusi, who made no mistake from close range to level the tie at 2-2.
The Falcons completed their sensational comeback in the 88th minute when Jennifer Echegini reacted quickest to a deep free-kick, stabbing home from close range to spark wild celebrations on the Nigerian bench.
The victory sees Nigeria reinforce their dominance in African women’s football, securing their 10th WAFCON title and reasserting their status as the queens of the continent.
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