Klopp vs Hughton

Klopp reveals Salah hug behind Hughton spat after Liverpool's thrashing of Brighton

Jurgen Klopp has revealed the reason why Brighton & Hove Albion boss Chris Hughton was angry with him following Liverpool's 5-1 victory at the Amex on Saturday.

Two goals from Roberto Firmino, an Emre Can header, a Philippe Coutinho effort and an own goal from Lewis Dunk saw Klopp's side return to Merseyside with a victory that kept them three points behind third-place Chelsea.

Klopp was confronted by Albion boss Hughton on the full-time whistle, initially thought to be a result of the Reds boss' exuberant celebrations on the touchline throughout the game.

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Both managers refused to talk about the incident in their post-match interviews but Klopp has now lifted the lid, claiming there was a mix-up over a handshake.

“It was a misunderstanding, nothing else,” Klopp told reporters ahead of Liverpool's Champions League tie against Spartak Moscow on Wednesday.

“No one asked me about it after the game when I could have killed the discussion immediately. I have to apologise – not that I did something wrong on purpose, it just happened.

“I went to go to Chris to shake his hand but Mo Salah passed my way so I gave him a hug and Chris wasn’t too happy about that.

Coutinho Liverpool celebrate

"We shook hands and he said what he thought – and it is what I think as well – that you should shake the hand of the other manager first, but it was not on purpose and after the game I spoke to Chris and his assistant.

"I think and I hope everything is fine. For one or two times in my life I was disrespectful but I would never be disrespectful in a moment like this.

"I can only apologise, it was not my intention.”

Liverpool remain fourth in the Premier League rankings, while Brighton occupy 12th place after 15 fixtures.

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