Jurgen Klopp reveals what Ivan Toney said to him after the match
In the wake of Liverpool’s commanding 4-1 triumph over Brentford, manager Jurgen Klopp shed light on a heartwarming exchange he had with Brentford’s striker, Ivan Toney. Toney, who recently made a remarkable comeback after serving an eight-month suspension for betting violations, showcased his scoring prowess by notching a goal against the formidable Reds on Saturday.
Although Toney’s goal served as a glimmer of hope for Brentford, Liverpool ultimately asserted their dominance on the pitch, with Darwin Nunez, Alexis Mac Allister, Mohamed Salah, and Cody Gakpo all finding the back of the net.
Following the exhilarating match, Klopp was spotted engaging in a friendly conversation with Toney, a moment he later elaborated on during his post-match press conference. “It was more of a smile exchange; Toney is a handful and poses quite a challenge – I might have used a different term to describe it, but he’s truly a handful to contend with,” remarked Klopp with a grin.
“Isn’t it true that he’s a Liverpool supporter? He doesn’t shy away from admitting it, does he?” Klopp quipped, adding, “Well, in that case, I can admit it too. We had a brief chat about that, and he extended his well wishes for my future endeavors post my tenure here. Many players have expressed similar sentiments. It was a pleasant conversation. I also had a chat with [Vitaly] Janelt.”
Amid swirling speculation surrounding Toney’s future, with strong ties to clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham, the 27-year-old has opted to stay put at Brentford until the conclusion of the current season. Nevertheless, his remarkable performances following his return from suspension are bound to attract further interest, presenting a potential challenge for manager Thomas Frank in retaining him beyond the ongoing campaign.
