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Diego Simeone revealed that his distaste for post-match handshakes was behind his snub of Jurgen Klopp back in 2021. The Atletico Madrid boss' refusal to shake the former Liverpool manager's hand occurred almost four years prior to his latest transgression involving the Premier League champions.
The Argentine received his marching orders during his team's 3-2 Champions League loss at Anfield on Wednesday after becoming involved in a furious exchange with Liverpool supporters following Virgil van Dijk's stoppage-time winner.
Security personnel were compelled to restrain the 55-year-old, who tried to force his way past them. He ultimately settled down and was escorted down the tunnel after referee Maurizio Mariani dismissed him.
Whilst Simeone's behavior proved most contentious regarding Liverpool-related incidents, this wasn't his first offence. This followed the Reds' 3-2 victory over Madrid at the Metropolitano Stadium in 2021, when Simeone openly expressed his aversion to full-time handshakes.
The Atletico manager's choice was criticized by Klopp, though he defended himself at the time: "I've already explained myself after the first match. I don't like the handshake greetings after the match as they are the emotions of two different sides in different emotional minds.
"So I don't like that greeting after the match. I know in the UK it is a custom and all about chivalry, but I don't share it and I don't like the falseness. So I behave as I feel. I don't know Klopp as a person, but he is a great coach and has been great everywhere he has been.
"I don't give an opinion on other teams, we are coaches and we all have to respect that."
Liverpool's Champions League campaign began in spectacular fashion as Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah both found the net inside the opening six minutes to hand Arne Slot's team a commanding early advantage.
Nevertheless, strikes in either half from Marcos Llorente enabled the Spanish side to stage a remarkable fightback that was ultimately thwarted by Van Dijk's header in the 92nd minute.
The Dutch captain's decisive goal triggered Simeone's confrontation with the supporters. Following the encounter, he alleged that fans subjected him to constant abuse.
"They always talk about taking care of each other, but they insult you throughout the entire match, and you can't say anything because you're the manager. My reaction was unjustifiable, but do you know what it's like to be insulted for 90 minutes, to turn around after the opponent scores and still be insulted?
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"It's not that easy. (The referee told me) he understood me. I hope Liverpool can improve that aspect and that when they identify the person who did that, there will be consequences. There were insults throughout the match, including gestures.
"It's clear that I'm the one who has to stay calm, I have to put up with the insults, the gestures and any situation. Because I'm in a position where I have to put up with it."
Liverpool's next challenge is the Merseyside derby against Everton this Saturday, with the next European clash sending the Reds to Istanbul to face Galatasaray.
* An AI tool was used to add an extra layer to the editing process for this story. You can read the original story in the Liverpool ECHO by clicking here.
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