Jurgen Klopp's Germany played out a 1-1 draw with the Netherlands in the manager's first game in charge, with Cody Gakpo scoring a stoppage-time volley while Virgil van Dijk's goal was ruled out
Jurgen Klopp waited around in the tunnel to speak to Virgil van Dijk after the game
Jurgen Klopp waited around in the tunnel to speak to Virgil van Dijk after the game(Image: Getty )
Jürgen Klopp revealed his genuine affection for Virgil van Dijk by bringing the Netherlands skipper's shirt into his inaugural post-match press conference as Germany manager. Klopp kicked off his spell in charge of the German national team with an entertaining 1-1 stalemate against their Dutch counterparts on Thursday evening.
The boss watched his team have an early headed goal by his ex-Liverpool captain Van Dijk disallowed, after referee intervention deemed Brian Brobbey had fouled Marc-André ter Stegen. Germany subsequently went ahead before the interval courtesy of Felix Nmecha.
However, Klopp was prevented from securing his opening victory by another Reds player, striker Cody Gakpo, whose magnificent injury-time volley ensured both nations departed with a share of the spoils.
The Dutch proved the superior outfit throughout the encounter and there were evident indications that Klopp's Germany are still developing, having underperformed at major competitions for ten years.
Yet that didn't prevent the 59 year old from displaying genuine sportsmanship, particularly by pausing to speak with both Van Dijk and Gakpo after the match.
He was also presented with the towering centre-back's match-worn shirt, which he carried into his press conference an hour following the final whistle, placing it over the back of his seat - a gesture demonstrating his immense respect for Van Dijk, reports the Liverpool Echo.
Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk shared an embrace before kick-off
Jurgen Klopp and Virgil van Dijk shared an embrace before kick-off(Image: Getty )
The duo, who achieved remarkable success together at Anfield, had exchanged a cordial pre-match embrace on the pitch. During one of his compulsory post-match television interviews, a journalist enquired: "Mr Klopp, congratulations on your debut. What's in your hand?" The manager replied: "Virgil's very wet shirt."
He had publicly backed Van Dijk ahead of the fixture following the Liverpool skipper's confrontation with the Dutch press during his own media appearance. Van Dijk had clashed with journalists as the controversy surrounding the Netherlands' World Cup knockout by Morocco persisted.
In a tense press briefing, the defender described as "utter nonsense" suggestions he had been involved in any tactical changes that contributed to their last-16 departure.
Klopp learnt of the heated encounter and believed Van Dijk had been unjustly targeted for blame. He said: "I think you yourselves know that you are quite critical. Virgil should tell you that.
"Our German journalists are pretty good too [at being critical], but you might not even be that much worse. I haven't really followed the Dutch press, but I assume you weren't happy with the elimination.
"Then the captain gets more criticism too. Virgil has had a lot of great moments in his career and also a few lesser ones. Because he is not only physically present, but normally also because of his performances, I can imagine that he gets singled out a bit."