Gabby Agbonlahor sends parting message to Jurgen Klopp after 'mentality monsters' jibe

Just under two years since they first exchanged passing shots on their respective platforms, ex-Aston Villa forward Gabby Agbonlahor had a message for Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp

Gabby Agbonlahor refused to hit back at Jurgen Klopp's infamous dig at him when having his final say on the departing Liverpool manager and instead labelled him a Premier League legend.

In the summer of 2022, former Aston Villa striker Agbonlahor, who is now a pundit on TalkSPORT, slammed Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag for losing 4-0 away to Brentford, prompting a reaction from Klopp in his press conference.

Klopp, who seemingly took offence to his assessment, reminded Agbonlahor that Liverpool handed his Villa side one of the worst defeats in Premier League history, with the Merseysiders beating the Midlanders 6-0 at Villa Park.

Klopp explained that he didn't remember the striker being a "mentality monster" and claimed he was even close to phoning into the show to call out at the former England international.

Given an opportunity to finally hit back by Alan Brazil on talkSPORT on Thursday, now that he's leaving Liverpool at the end of the season, Agbonlahor replied: "He had a bite! But he's a legend of the Premier League, he is a legend.

"I was watching something yesterday about him and what he's done for that football club against that Manchester City side, outstanding. Winning the Champions League as well and what he's done for a lot of people in Liverpool, their fanbase. He's a legend, isn't he? And he will be missed."

Agbonlahor has often proven to be a polarising figure on the radio station. After United's heavy loss to the Bees, the 37-year-old said: "If I was them [United] now after this game I'd be thinking, 'You know what, Ten Hag, just pack up'."

Unknown to Agbonlahor, Klopp was one of the listeners who tuned in to hear his rant. In a pre-match press conference before Liverpool's away clash with United in the summer of 2022, Klopp said: "I drove home after watching the first half here [at the training ground] and I listened to talkSPORT and Gabby [Agbonlahor].

"He lost against us 6-0 in my first year, so I couldn't remember him as a mentality monster on the pitch then. But what he said about Man Utd in that show, I was close to calling in and telling him: 'You forgot completely that you were a player'.

"And if ex-players go already like this, you can imagine how everything else is going. You have to ask yourself how you want to react in a situation like this." Liverpool host Wolves in the final match of Klopp's reign this Sunday.

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