Gabby Agbonlahor BLAMES Jurgen Klopp for Liverpool’s display in their draw with Aston Villa

Former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor has hit out at Jurgen Klopp again after Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw by Aston Villa on Saturday to all but end their hopes of finishing in the top four.

Liverpool had won seven straight matches ahead of the clash at Anfield, but knew they needed a win to keep the pressure on Newcastle and Manchester United.

Their cause was not helped by Klopp serving a touchline ban after being charged with improper conduct following comments he made about referee Paul Tierney’s performance during his side’s 4-3 win over Tottenham last month.

Liverpool struggled to break Villa down, and despite a late Roberto Firmino equaliser on his final appearance at Anfield, they could not find a winner, leaving Newcastle and United needing just a point from their last two matches to guarantee finishing above them. Agbonlahor feels Klopp’s absence from the technical area played a major role in Liverpool’s below-par display.

‘Liverpool lacked intensity, they lacked creativity for at least the first 70 minutes. That comes from Klopp, can’t keep his mouth shut,’ Agbonlahor told talkSPORT.

Gabby Agbonlahor has blamed Jurgen Klopp for Liverpool’s performance against Aston Villa

Klopp was unable to influence matters from the dugout as he served a touchline ban

Liverpool are now set to finish outside the top four, and Agbonlahor feels the side missed their manager in the must-win game on Saturday

‘Gets a ban, he’s in the stands, he’s not on the sideline. Them players don’t put in that performance if Klopp is on that sideline, he wouldn’t allow it.

‘Of course, Villa were outstanding. But, that is not a normal Liverpool performance. When you need your manager in such a big game on the sideline, he’s not there because he can’t keep his mouth shut.’

Agbonlahor’s rant comes after a season where he has regularly slammed Klopp and his team following a disappointing campaign for the Reds.

The pair’s unexpected feud started when Klopp took exception to Agbonlahor’s criticism of United and Erik ten Hag after the Red Devils were thrashed 4-0 by Brentford in August.

Klopp was not happy with Agbonlahor’s ‘unbelievable’ criticism, and admitted he was close to calling up talkSPORT to confront the former striker on his comments. 

He also questioned Agbonlahor’s own mentality when he was a player and was part of the Villa side that lost 6-0 at Anfield in 2016 on their way to being relegated that season.

Agbonlahor has clearly not taken too kindly to Klopp calling him out, and has continued to lay into Liverpool throughout the season.

With the Reds now almost certain to be playing in the Europa League next term, Agbonlahor has also predicted that Klopp could be sacked if they start the 2023-24 season poorly.

‘It’s been a bad season for Liverpool,’ Agbonlahor added.

‘If they start the season off bad next season, I wouldn’t be surprised if Jurgen Klopp got the sack.’