Jurgen Klopp and Gabriel Agbonlahor
Jurgen Klopp was not impressed with Gabriel Abonlahor’s opinions (Pictures: Getty)

Jurgen Klopp has taken a swipe at Gabriel Agbonlahor for his criticism of Manchester United, saying: ‘I couldn’t remember him as a mentality monster on the pitch.’

Klopp is preparing his Liverpool team for a clash with the Red Devils on Monday night, with both teams looking to improve on disappointing starts to the Premier League season.

The Reds have been surprisingly held to draws by Fulham and Crystal Palace so far, while the Red Devils have had a much worse start, losing to Brighton and Brentford.

It was after the 4-0 defeat by the Bees that Agbonlahor blasted Erik ten Hag’s side on talkSPORT, saying: ‘This is not Manchester United.

‘If I was them now after this game I’d be thinking, “You know what, Ten Hag, just pack up”. He’s had pre-season and they have started the season as a shambles, they’re like strangers on the pitch.

‘They’re just not good enough. Amateur from Manchester United. They’re not United they’re divided, none of them are working for each other. Look at them, they’re like strangers on the pitch.

‘It’s a shambles kit, shambles club at the moment.’

Brentford FC v Manchester United - Premier League
United did have a terrible day out at Brentford (Picture: Getty Images)

Klopp says he was listening to the radio show in his car and took exception to the former Aston Villa striker’s words, remembering Agbonlahor from his early days as Liverpool boss.

The German recalled a game from February 2016 at Villa Park which Agbonlahor started and Liverpool won 6-0, so is not sure the former England forward is in a position to criticise the struggling United players.

‘For United, you all played your part, and it was not a nice week for United after the Brentford game,’ Klopp told a press conference on Friday. ‘We forget in these moments how good Brentford is.

‘It was that bad, I watched the first half and drove home, listened to talkSPORT and Gabby…[Agbonlahor] he lost against us 6-0 in my first year, I couldn’t remember him as a mentality monster on the pitch.

Aston Villa v Liverpool - Premier League
Agbonlahor was taken off during Liverpool’s romp at Villa Park in 2016 (Picture: Getty Images)

‘What he said about United on that show, I was close to calling in. I was close to calling in and telling him, you forgot completely what it’s like to be a player. It was unbelievable!

‘When ex-players go like this then you can imagine how everything else is going.’

Agbonlahor admitted that he has been harsh on Manchester United, but says it is entirely justified.

He said after the loss at Brentford: ‘I’ve been hammering United and people are saying I’ve got an agenda against Manchester United – no, I’m speaking facts that real Manchester United fans will agree with.

‘You’re just not the same Manchester United that you used to be.

‘These results have been coming. Last week you lost and it wasn’t shocking, and this isn’t a shock to me.

‘I knew Brentford would win, this is not a shock to me.’

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