Jurgen Klopp has appeared to hit out at Manchester United's handling of Jadon Sancho at a farewell event for Liverpool supporters.
After taking charge of his final game as Liverpool manager 10 days ago, a comfortable 3-1 win at home to Wolves, the German waved goodbye in front of thousands of fans at the M&S Bank Arena. During the emotional send-off, Klopp discussed his management style and seemed to take a swipe at United, who signed Sancho for £73million in 2021.
The 24-year-old is now back on loan at former club Borussia Dortmund, who Klopp also used to manage. United's decision to loan him out came following a high-profile bust-up with manager Erik ten Hag last August, resulting in Sancho being cut adrift from the first-team after failing to live up to both his price tag and potential.
Despite Ten Hag supporting the winger throughout the 2022-23 season, allowing him to train individually for three months to address his physical and mental state, Klopp has suggested that Sancho didn't get enough love this term.
"If the whole world loses trust and faith in the player then the manager has to be the one behind the player," the now former Liverpool boss told the crowd.
World Cup hero wants Man Utd move as doubts over Harry Maguire's future grow"I cannot just buy into that 'he's useless' stuff - like other clubs did by the way. Buying a player for £80m (sic) and then sending him out on loan!"
Sancho is unlikely to play for United again so long as Ten Hag remains in charge and has shown glimpses of his quality back at Dortmund. The Bundesliga side would like to sign him permanently this summer, with sporting director Sebastian Kehl making the club's stance clear earlier this month.
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"We will try everything to keep Jadon Sancho here. But United also see how well he is playing at the moment," Kehl told German publication Welt. "Maybe they also want to sell him for profit or bring him back. We will see."
He went on to say: "His qualities don't need to be described. He has regained his smile in the six months with us."
Sancho is under contract at United until June 2026 and the club have an option to extend his deal by a further 12 months.
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