Diego Simeone’s handshake refusal: was Atletico Madrid boss wrong or right to snub Liverpool’s Jurgen Klopp?

What those closest to the action made of the incident following the Reds’ 3-2 victory.
Diego Simeone speaks to the referee during Liverpool’s defeat of Atletico Madrid. Picture: Angel Martinez/Getty ImagesDiego Simeone speaks to the referee during Liverpool’s defeat of Atletico Madrid. Picture: Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Diego Simeone speaks to the referee during Liverpool’s defeat of Atletico Madrid. Picture: Angel Martinez/Getty Images

It was a game that had it all.

Tuesday night’’s Champions League classic will go down as an all-time great in the competition.

Liverpool's 3-2 defeat of Atletico Madrid involved goals, penalty drama, twists and turns and a red card. It was everything you could have wished for and more.

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Unfortunately, events at the final whistle somewhat sullied the high-octane affair.

Atletico boss Diego Simeone, who'd been his usual, volatile self on the touchline, opted not to shake hands with Reds counterpart Jurgen Klopp once the match was over.

Clearly, the Argentine was unhappy with Antoine Griezmann’s sending off and the fact his side had a penalty overruled following a VAR check.

The decision to snub Klopp meant it was a hot topic of conversation when analysing the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium encounter.

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But was Simeone wrong to do so? Or are too many people overexaggerating his choice?

Here is what those closest to the action thought.

Jurgen Klopp

A colleague tried to wind me up, they don't like that (the no handshake). But the situation is clear, I wanted to shake his hand and he didn't want it.

His reaction was not right, mine was not too cool as well. We are both emotional, I am as well, so next time I see him we will shake hands, definitely.

He was obviously angry, not with me but with the game and the world. It was nothing else.

Jurgen Klopp celebrates Liverpool’s victory over Atletico Madrid. Picture: Angel Martinez/Getty ImagesJurgen Klopp celebrates Liverpool’s victory over Atletico Madrid. Picture: Angel Martinez/Getty Images
Jurgen Klopp celebrates Liverpool’s victory over Atletico Madrid. Picture: Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Diego Simeone

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I don’t always greet (the other manager) after the game because I don’t like it.

It’s not healthy for either the winner or the loser. I think of it that way.

But now, when I see him, I’ll greet him without a problem.

BT Sport pundit Peter Crouch

You've got to respect him so much as a manager, Simeone.

During the game winding the crowd, the players up, I understand it.

But not shaking hands at the end, I just think he lets himself down.

BT Sport pundit Joleen Lescot

I think it’s petty. The comments from Jurgen Klopp before the game he didn’t seem phased by it but tonight not shaking his hand to run off down the tunnel is quite cowardly in my opinion.