Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp's Germany team were involved in controversy against Virgil van Dijk and the Netherlands in the UEFA Nations League
Virgil van Dijk of Netherlands reacts at referee Alejandro Hernandez during the UEFA Nations League match against Germany on September 24 2026 in Amsterdam
Virgil van Dijk of Netherlands reacts at referee Alejandro Hernandez during the UEFA Nations League match against Germany on September 24 2026 in Amsterdam(Image: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)
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Jurgen Klopp disagreed with his former Liverpool players Virgil van Dijk and Cody Gakpo over Germany's controversial goal in their feisty UEFA Nations League clash in the Netherlands.
In-form Reds winger Gakpo earned the home team a 1-1 draw with a brilliant volley in additional time at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Thursday evening.
Germany had gone ahead in the 33rd minute when, with Netherlands striker Brian Brobbey down injured near the halfway line and Dutch captain Van Dijk imploring the ball was put out of play, Klopp's team continued and Felix Nmecha eventually scored.
It prompted a confrontation between players from both sides with Van Dijk - who had earlier had a goal disallowed for a foul by Brobbey at a corner - particularly unimpressed.
"First they turn back and then they continue anyway," he said. "We think that ball should have gone out, but it didn't. It was unfortunate.
"(As for the disallowed goal) I thought it was disallowed very easily; in my opinion, Brian didn't do anything."
Gakpo said of Germany's goal: "We consider that unsporting. There is no reason for it; I think it’s standard practice to kick the ball out when someone is down on the ground. They decided not to do that - it wasn't sporting - and that’s what made things heat up a bit."
Klopp, though, took a different view, and took issue with a claim on Dutch TV from former Netherlands international Rafael van der Vaart that the decision of referee Alejandro Hernandez to allow the goal was a "gross disgrace".
“It certainly wasn't a disgrace," he said. "The goal was completely legitimate. I don't have a guilty conscience. And I would have one if it weren't legitimate. I would have taken it anyway, but I would have had a guilty conscience. I don't have one."
Asked what he'd have done if in the roles had been reversed, Klopp added: “I would have told my players that they had to keep playing.
“They didn't. And we took full advantage of it with a really excellent move. Great cross, great run. Felix was where he needed to be – and he smashed the ball in.
“It certainly wasn't a disgrace, but when emotions are running high, you can say anything in the heat of the moment.”
Netherlands coach Xavi blamed referee Hernandez and said: "The problem was that he put the whistle in his mouth but didn't blow it. And then (Joshua) Kimmich continued playing. But it's not a big problem."
Liverpool midfielder Ryan Gravenberch also started the game for the Netherlands, although Jeremie Frimpong remained on the bench. The Dutch are next in action on Sunday in Serbia.
Klopp's first game in charge of the Germany national team proved big box office in his homeland with almost 11 million people tuning in to watch live on television.
And assessing the game, German news outlet Bild said: "Despite the draw, fans can only have been impressed by the intensity of Klopp and his players, even if it wasn't enough for their first three points in the Nations League."
Elsewhere, Kostas Tsimikas created the winning goal for Greece in their 2-1 victory in Serbia while Lewis Koumas started for Wales in their 1-0 loss at Portugal.
Ronald Araujo was replaced midway through the second half of Uruguay's 3-1 friendly defeat in Japan, while Academy midfielder Erik Farkas played 76 minutes for England under-18s and helped force one of the goals when his initial shot was spilled in the 3-2 win over Colombia in Switzerland.