Neville uses Klopp’s ‘game plan’ jibe to double down on Conte to Man Utd claim

Gary Neville used Jurgen Klopp’s post-match views on the Tottenham tactics in their 1-1 draw with Liverpool as he claimed Manchester United were right to swerve Antonio Conte.

United were linked with the Italian boss back in October before they sacked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and ahead of Conte instead taking the helm at Spurs.

READ MORE: 16 Conclusions: Liverpool 1-1 Tottenham Hotspur

At the time, Neville warned his old side against a move for “hitman” Conte, who he believed was not the right “fit” for United.

“They won’t bring a hitman in again. A hitman who comes in and does a job for two years,” Neville said.

“Conte’s available but I wouldn’t bring him to Manchester United. I wouldn’t bring him here now, I wouldn’t.

“I don’t think Antonio Conte is a fit for Manchester United. I don’t think he’s a fit.

“I might be wrong, they might bring him here tomorrow and I’d get behind him.

“We’ve seen a coach with a specific style like Louis van Gaal didn’t work here. I’m not saying there isn’t a manager who can come to Manchester United and do well.”

And in the wake of Klopp’s comments after Liverpool dropped points in the title race in the draw with Spurs on Saturday, Neville took to Twitter to double down on his previous claim.

He wrote: ‘I respect Conte and his football enormously but this Klopp interview gives the clear reason why he wasn’t the right fit for United.’

Klopp said after the draw at Anfield: “The dressing room is not flying in this moment. But come on, something like this can always happen. There are other games to play, we just have to keep going.

“I wish we could have won this game, but with all the praise for Tottenham – they sit back. They drew against us, got results against Man City and Chelsea. The game plan works for these games but they are still fifth. Time wasting, these kind of things, it makes it easier for them. We wanted three points, that’s not so cool.”