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Jun 24, 2026

Jurgen Klopp ignites row with Rafael van der Vaart

Former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has started a public row with former Spurs midfielder Rafael van der Vaart. 

It comes after Van der Vaart slammed Liverpool and Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk after the Dutch drew their World Cup opener with Japan last week.

Van der Vaart, who played for Spurs between 2010 and 2012, is working for Dutch broadcaster NOS at the World Cup. 

Van der Vaart, capped 109 times for the Netherlands, criticised Van Dijk's turning after conceding late to Japan, drawing comparisons to Boeing's clunky 747 aeroplane. 

'I must honestly say that I was a bit shocked by Van Dijk. That turning... It was a bit of a Boeing 747. I hope he will run a little faster during the tournament', Van der Vaart said.

But appearing on German TV on Saturday as the Netherlands beat Sweden 5-1 to all-but qualify for the knockouts, former Liverpool boss Klopp was quick to jump to his former player Van Dijk's defence, dismissing Van der Vaart's assessment as irrelevant.

Ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is caught in a row with former Spurs midfielder Rafael van der Vaart

Ex-Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp is caught in a row with former Spurs midfielder Rafael van der Vaart

Van der Vaart has caused his fair share of controversy working for Dutch broadcaster NOS at the World Cup

Van der Vaart has caused his fair share of controversy working for Dutch broadcaster NOS at the World Cup

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