Antonio Conte sends message to Jurgen Klopp over criticising opponents

Antonio Conte has encouraged Jurgen Klopp to quit discussing different teams after the Liverpool boss condemned Tottenham’s methodology at Anfield and says the Reds were fortunate to leave away with a draw on Saturday.

Klopp targeted Conte’s strategies after Spurs’ wrecked Liverpool’s title challenge, saying he could have done without “this sort of football” and asserting the visitors “ought to accomplish more”. The German later conceded he was off-base and said he would not say the same again.

• ‘We did not take what we deserve’ – Chelsea boss reacts to Leicester draw
• Everton 3-2 Crystal Palace Highlights
• Chelsea 1-1 Leicester Highlights
• Chelsea receive boost in Jules Kounde pursuit
• ‘I will be there’ – Fabinho gives fitness update ahead Champions League final

Conte set up his side with a back five without the ball, and they completed the game with 35% ball possession. Be that as it may, Spurs nonetheless created chances in transition, and started to lead the pack not long before the hour through Heung-min Son prior to being pegged back by Luis Diaz’s deflected equaliser.

Conte said Klopp will realize it was a point acquired for Liverpool and cautioned the Reds boss to zero in on his own side’s concerns in future.

“We analysed the game the day after, and for sure if there was a team that deserved to win and created the chances to win, it was Tottenham not Liverpool,” Conte said. “In this game, I think Klopp understood he gained one point, not lost two points.

“Jurgen is an intelligent person, he’s very clever. He was a bit frustrated after the game.

“At the same time, for us, for a top coach or for every coach, it’s important to learn that after the game it’s important be focused on your team, not your opponent. To be focused on your opponent, it means you want to find an excuse or alibi because your job didn’t work or something was wrong.”