Ex-Liverpool star says Jurgen Klopp would have stopped Man Utd tunnel incident as 'standards drop'

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Liverpool FC NewsFeaturesLiverpool FCThe peculiar sight of Liverpool's players enjoying a childish kickabout in the tunnel has perplexed many, including a former Red, who shared his views on social mediaLiverpool's players have been criticized for their actions in the Old Trafford tunnel ahead of the Manchester United game(Image: Getty Images)Former Liverpool midfielder Don Hutchison has criticized Liverpool’s players for enjoying a brief game of keep-ups in the Old Trafford tunnel before Sunday’s Premier League defeat against Manchester United.The unusual incident occurred shortly after the away side arrived at Old Trafford, when four players - Curtis Jones, Dominik Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong - chose to kick the ball between them at the far end of the tunnel away from the entrance to the pitch.While some may view it as a sign of their relaxed approach, others felt it was juvenile and performative. The latter was certainly the view of Hutchison, who played 60 times for the Reds between 1992 and 1994.READ MORE: Liverpool news as Arne Slot causes controversy and Ibrahima Konate speaksREAD MORE: Liverpool players raise eyebrows with activity days before Man Utd defeatThe 54-year-old felt experienced figures such as Jordan Henderson and James Milner would not have allowed such an instance to take place during the Jurgen Klopp era.Writing on X, Hutchison said: “I Can’t get my head around the Liverpool players doing keepy ups inside the Man Utd tunnel.“Klopp + Henderson + Milner etc etc would never have allowed these short of standards to drop.”It was a bruising afternoon for Liverpool at Old Trafford(Image: Getty Images)The incident was one of several around the game that irked supporters, along with Cody Gakpo swapping shirts with Casemiro and the view, shared by some fans, that Liverpool’s players were given too much time off in preparation for the game.As for the game itself, it was a one-sided affair in the first half, which United controlled throughout and led 2-0 at the break.Szoboszlai and Gakpo leveled the scoring in the second half, before Kobbie Mainoo popped up with a late winner to wrap up all three points and guarantee the Red Devils’ place in the Champions League next season.Arne Slot’s side still needs four more points to secure its status, with three sides currently placed outside the top five able to catch and overtake Liverpool.The Reds host Chelsea on Saturday, where a win, coupled with results elsewhere, could guarantee a top-five finish.That may go some way to reshaping the narrative that standards have dropped this season — under Klopp, the team missed on securing a Champions League place, after all.However, the wisdom of the Old Trafford tunnel shenanigans feels misguided, given the players' actions are under the microscope at present.Choose Liverpool.com as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.Liverpool FCManchester United FCJurgen Klopp