Italian legend blasts ‘arrogant’ Liverpool and wants ’10 match ban’ for Andy Robertson

Italian football legend Marco Tardelli has made a scathing assessment of Jurgen Klopp’s “arrogant” Liverpool side ahead of the upcoming Champions League last-16 clash with Internazionale.

The Reds were eventually drawn against the Serie A side at the second attempt – a botched initial draw saw them paired with Red Bull Salzburg – with the matches to be played on February 16 at the San Siro and March 8 at Anfield.

Liverpool topped their Champions League group ahead of Atletico Madrid, AC Milan and Porto, winning all six of their games.

While many were impressed by the way in which the Reds negotiated a challenging set of matches in Europe, Tardelli noticed some weaknesses.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t Football Italia ), the former Inter and Juventus player suggested the Reds can be got at by Inter and referenced what he believed to be overly aggressive tactics from Jurgen Klopp ‘s side in Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur.

“I hear people say that Liverpool are unplayable, but no team is, especially against this Inter side,” said the 1982 World Cup winner.

“The important thing is that Inter play with this same hunger and desire to play football. They need a different level of intensity with Liverpool and also a better rapport with the referee.

“The fouls that Liverpool players did against Tottenham yesterday, they’d have received a 10-match ban in Italy…Besides, Liverpool are almost arrogant in the way they play, all too aware of how strong they are and the protection that they enjoy.”

Liverpool saw Andrew Robertson sent off for a wild kick at Emerson Royal in the Tottenham draw. The full-back was on the end of a reckless challenge from Harry Kane earlier in the contest, although that action went unpunished.

Tardelli also went on to talk up Inter, naming them as “comfortably the strongest team in Italy” despite losing Antonio Conte, Romelu Lukaku and Achraf Hakimi at the end of last season’s title-winning campaign.